Feronia PHC operates in extremely challenging conditions but is making a huge difference to people’s lives in one of the world’s poorest places... We take our social and environmental responsibilities incredibly seriously... Feronia PHC has a policy of transparency and is pleased to engage with any party.... Feronia believes that the protection of civic freedoms and respect for the rule of law are both vitally important for civil society and business to thrive... While Feronia may not always agree with its critics, it respects their right to hold the company to account and we are committed to addressing and resolving areas where genuine grievances occur... Feronia also respects...the independence of the judiciary in the DRC and has no control or influence over its application, beyond the ability to lodge complaints... While the judicial process is ongoing, it would be potentially prejudicial to comment on specific arrests...However, we are aware that the police have increased activities in the remote locations in which the company operates in an attempt to tackle wide-scale, systematic and organised crime including theft, threats and physical violence, including against the company’s staff and assets...  It is believed that a number of those that have been arrested recently are accused of serious offences... Accusations that the company is responsible for, or orchestrating, the arrest and detention of people in collusion with state authorities, are untrue and misleading...