constituteproject.org • Right to shelter PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:22 Article 48 The right to decent housing, the right of access to drinking water and to electric energy are guaranteed. The law establishes the modalities of the exercise of these rights. • State support for the elderly • State support for the disabled Article 49 The elderly person and the handicapped person have the right to specific measures of protection concerning their physical, intellectual and moral needs. The State has the duty to promote the presence of handicapped persons within national, provincial and local institutions. An organic law determines the modalities of application of this right. Chapter 3: Of Collective Rights Article 50 The State protects the legitimate rights and interests of Congolese who are both inside and outside the country. Under reserve of reciprocity, any foreigner who finds himself legally on the national territory enjoys the same rights and freedoms as a Congolese, the political rights excepted. They benefit from the protection granted to persons and their assets under the conditions determined by the treaties and the laws. They are required to conform to the laws and regulations of the Republic. • Integration of ethnic communities Article 51 The State has the duty to assure and to promote the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of all the ethnic groups of the country. It assures equally the protection and the promotion of vulnerable groups and of all minorities. It sees to their development. • General guarantee of social security Article 52 All Congolese have the right to peace and to security, both on the national as well as on the international level [plan]. • Terrorism • Protection of environment No individual or group of individuals may use a part of the national territory as a base of operation for subversive or terrorist activities against the Congolese State or any other State. Article 53 All persons have the right to a healthy environment and [one] propitious for their integral development. They have the duty to defend it. The State sees to the protection of the environment and the health of the population. Congo (Democratic Republic of the) 2005 (rev. 2011) Page 15