Home

Democratic Republic of Congo

DRC: Demand Justice for Floribert Chebeya Bahizireposted on: 2011/06/20

Floribert Chebeya Bahizire was a leading Congolese human rights defender. He was the Director of Voix des Sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless), a prominent human rights organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Floribert's work led to him being issued with numerous and repetitive threats from police. Finally on the 3rd June Floribert was found dead.

Floribert had been called to central Police headquarters requiring him to attend a meeting with the Inspector General of the Congolese National Police. No reason was given for the meeting. For reasons unknown to Floribert's family Floribert was not able to meet the inspector, and just before 8pm he informed his family by SMS that he was returning to the city.

His body was found the following morning, Wednesday 2 June, in his abandoned car in the outskirts of Kinshasa.

According to police sources, Floribert's body showed no signs of violence. However, the deputy executive director of VSV was not allowed to view the body on 2 June. Fidèle Bazana Edadi, who was Floribert's friend and driver also disappeared on 1 June. The body of Mr Edadi was reportedly found on Thursday 3 June, which would confirm that both human rights defenders were assassinated.

Front Line believes that the presumed assassination of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire is a direct result of his legitimate work in defence of human rights in DRC. Front Line is also gravely concerned for the security of the family of Floribert, Fidele and other members of the VSV. The climate in which human rights defenders work within DRC is becoming increasingly dangerous in an attempt to curtail this type of work.

On 23 June a military court in DRC announced the verdict in the trial of the alleged killers of human rights defender and founder of Voix Des Sans Voix, Floribert Chebeya Bahizire. Four of the accused were sentenced to death, one was sentenced to life imprisonment and three were acquitted.

While Front Line welcomes the conviction of those involved in the killing of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, the organisation urges the DRC Minister for Justice to commute the death sentences.

One of those sentenced to death is Colonel Daniel Mukalay who was Chief of Police Intelligence at the time of the killing of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire and his driver Fidèle Bazana and whom the judge identified as the intellectual author of the crime. At the time of his killing Floribert Chebeya Bahizire was on his way to a meeting with Police General John Numbi who remains suspended from his post "pending investigation". To date there has been no outcome from this investigation and his role in the killing remains unclear.

An additional concern is that three of the policemen sentenced to death were convicted in absentia as they are on the run while no verdict has been issued relative to the killing of Floribert's driver Fidèle Bazana whose body has still not been recovered.

  • Read more
  • Share this

Congo: Break in at the office of Association des Mamans Chrétiennes pour I’ Assistance aux Vulnérable – AMCAV (Christian Mothers' Association for Assisting the Vulnerable)posted on: 2011/06/03

During the night of 28 and 29 May 2011, unidentified individuals broke into the office of Association des Mamans Chrétiennes pour I’ Assistance aux Vulnérable – AMCAV (Christian Mothers' Association for Assisting the Vulnerable). Various reports and documents of the Association were taken as well as dozens of photos of members of the association, which were taken during activities organised by AMCAV. AMCAV is a women association active in the fight against violence against women and children.

DRC: Intimidation and aggression against human rights defenders in Gomaposted on: 2011/03/24

Human rights defenders Mr Jeredy Malonga Kambasu, Ms Justine Masika Bihamba, and members of the organisation BEDEWA have been subjected to intimidation and acts of aggression in the town of Goma for the past two weeks.

DRC: Continued intimidation of ASADHO during a visit by security agentsposted on: 2011/02/25

On 18 February 2011, the office of Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme - ASADHO (African Association for the Defence of Human Rights) in Kinshasa was visited by two security agents. This episode closely follows the receipt of threats in early February by the President of ASADHO, Mr Jean-Claude Katende, and its Vice-President, Mr George Kapiamba.

Further Information

On 18 February 2011, two security agents visited the ASADHO office in Kinshasa at approximately 2:20pm. One of the agents wore a uniform of the national police, bearing the rank of captain. They reportedly refused to sign the guest register in spite of the requests ASADHO staff members.

The staff members however insisted, and one of the officers eventually signed into the book, reportedly with a false name. The officers stated that the purpose of their visit was to meet Jean-Claude Katende. When questioned as to the reason for which they sought Jean-Claude Katende, they reportedly stated that they wanted to ask him a job for one of their children.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Human rights defender Clemence Bakatuseka assaulted on 4 Octoberposted on: 2010/11/01

Several international human rights organisations have come together to call on the Congolese authorities to initiate as soon as possible, a thorough, impartial investigation into the violent assault of human rights defender Ms Clemence Bakatuseka, They have also urged the authorities to make a firm commitment to end attacks against human rights defenders and bring the perpetrators to justice.

DRC: Demand Justice for Floribert Chebeya Bahizireposted on: 2010/10/15

Floribert Chebeya Bahizire was a leading Congolese human rights defender. He was the Director of Voix des Sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless), a prominent human rights organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Floribert's work led to him being issued with numerous and repetitive threats from police. Finally on the 3rd June Floribert was found dead.

Further Information

Floribert had been called to central Police headquaters requiring him to attend a meeting with the Inspector General of the Congolese National Police. No reason was given for the meeting. For reasons unknown to Floribert's family Floribert was not able to meet the inspector, and just before 8pm he informed his family by SMS that he was returning to the city.

His body was found the following morning, Wednesday 2 June, in his abandoned car in the outskirts of Kinshasa.

According to police sources, Floribert's body showed no signs of violence. However, the deputy executive director of VSV was not allowed to view the body on 2 June. Fidèle Bazana Edadi, who was Floribert's friend and driver also disappeared on 1 June.

DRC: Disappearance of human rights defender Mr. Sylvestre Bwira Kyahiposted on: 2010/08/27

On 24 August 2010, human rights defender, Mr Sylvestre Bwira Kyahi was abducted by gunmen in the town of Goma in North Kivu province.

DRC: Presumed assassination of human rights defender Mr Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, executive director of “La Voix des Sans-Voix”posted on: 2010/06/03

Front Line is extremely concerned following the presumed assassination of human rights defender Mr Floribert Chebaya Bahizire. According to police sources, the body of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire was found in the back of his car on the morning of 2 June 2010 in the outskirts of Kinshasa, after his disappearance had been reported on the evening of 1 June 2010.

DRC: Campaign of intimidation and death threats against human rights defenders in Ituriposted on: 2010/05/07

Since mid-April, at least five human rights defenders working in the province of Ituri have been subject to a campaign of intimidation and death threats. Mr Freddy Kwilu of the NGO Légalité, Mr Gilbert Tandia of the Centre Pélican (Pelican Centre), Mr Pascal Leta of L'Association Espoir Pour Tous (Hope for All Association), Aru branch (EPU-Aru), Mr Willy Lalu of the organisation RSADC based in the town of Aru, and Mr Gilbert Angwandi of the Association pour la protection des droits et dignité des victimes - APPRODIVI (Association for the Protection of the rights and dignity of victims) in Ituri.

DRC: Acts of intimidation against human rights defender Mr Josias Shaheteraposted on: 2010/03/26

Human rights defender Mr Josias Shahetera was subjected to repeated acts of intimidation during February and March 2010. Josias Shahetera works for the non-governmental organisation SIDH in the town of Rubare, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

DRC : Acts of intimidation against human rights defender Mr Emmanuel Kabengele Kalonjiposted on: 2010/01/18

The house of human rights defender, Mr Emmanuel Kabengele Kalonji was burned down on the night of 18-19 December 2009. Emmanuel Kabengele Kalonji as well as civil society organisations in the province of Eastern Kasai believe that this was an arson attack and that it was meant as an attempt to intimidate Emmanuel Kabengele Kalonji.

DRC: Death threats against four human rights organisations in Gomaposted on: 2009/11/26

On 24 November 2009, four non-governmental organizations based in Goma, DRC, received a letter which expressed death threats. The organizations to which the threats were addressed include the Centre for Research on Environment, Democracy and Human Rights (CREDDHO), the Association for Peasant Development Initiatives (ASSODIP), Action for Peace, Development and Solidarity (ASODP), and Social Action for Peace and Development (ASPD).

DRC: Rape and death threats against human rights defender, Ms Rebecca Agamileposted on: 2009/10/09

On the night of 1 October 2009, eight men raided the home of human rights defender, Ms Rebecca Agamile, in Bunia, and threatened her and her daughter with rape and death. Rebecca Agamile is treasurer of Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement – SOFEPADI (Women Solidarity for Peace and Development), an organisation based in Bunia which documents human rights violations and promotes women's rights.

DRC: Death threats against human rights defenders, Mr Gregory Mulamba, Mr Timothée Mbuya, Mr Emmanuel Umpula, and Ms Dominique Munongoposted on: 2009/09/18

Human rights defenders, Mr Gregory Mulamba, Mr Timothée Mbuya and Mr Emmanuel Umpula received death threats on 16 and 17 September 2009, which also targeted Ms Dominique Munongo.

DRC – Arbitrary arrest of four human rights defenders, members of ANMDHposted on: 2009/09/11

Four human rights defenders, members of the organisation, Amis de Nelson Mandela pour la défense des Droits Humains – Friends of Nelson Mandela for the Defence of Human Rights (ANMDH), have been arbitrarily arrested by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) on 31 August 2009 in Kinshasa. Mr Robert Ilunga Numbi is the president of the ANMDH, Ms Marie-Thérèse Kalonda is the head of the Woman and Family programme for ANMDH, Mr Jean-Paul Itupa, is the head of public relations of the Kalamu section of ANMDH and Mr Ndumba Toutou is a member of ANMDH, an organisation which promotes conflict resolution and human rights in the DRC.