Front Line is extremely concerned following reports of death threats against human rights defender Sifa Bunyere. Sifa Bunyere is the president of the Association des Femmes pour l’assistance aux défavorisés (AFAD), an organisation that defends the victims of sexual violence in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Further Information

Posted 25/04/2008 Sifa Bunyere has been receiving death threats since 1 April 2008. The threats have come in the form of telephone calls and a letter and suspicious individuals have also been seen circling outside her home. The threats started at the same time as Sifa Bunyere informed the police regarding the presumed perpetrators of the killing of M ajor Lumoo Buunda, who was killed on 16 February 2008 and whose wife is a member of AFAD. The killing occurred in the same area where AFAD works and where Sifa Bunyere lives, as well as those presumed responsible for the killing.

Front Line believes that the death threats against Sifa Bunyere are directly related to her legitimate human rights activities. Front Line is concerned for Sifa Bunyere's physical and psychological integrity.