...civil society organizations from Burundi, DRC, Rwanda and Uganda commenced the implementation of a...project to empower local communities in the above countries as a means to promote good governance in the management and exploitation of resources...NGOs and other civil society groups working to promote good governance (human and environmental rights) have continued to face threats of violence and death, intimidation and arrests from some state agents and hired gangs...There is a strong link between natural resource governance, and conflict risk and intimidation of civil society...severe actions [should be] taken against the intimidation and threats against NGOs and activists...[NGOs urge the]... Governments of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC...to respect individual liberties and support NGOs and civil society...to undertake independent investigations into the cases of harassment and intimidation to...human and environmental rights defenders...[to ensure] that the natural resources...are exploited...for the benefit of [the] people...