Front Line is seriously concerned following reports about the arrest of human rights defenders, Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya, on 15 March 2009. Floribert Bahizire is the Executive Director of the Voix des Sans Voix – VSV (Voice of the Voiceless) and the National Executive Secretary of the Réseau national des organisations non gouvernementales des droits de l'homme de la République Démocratique du Congo – RENADHOC (National Network of Human Rights NGOs of the Democratic Republic of Congo). Dolly Inefo Mbunga is the Deputy Executive Director of VSV. Donat Tshikaya is reception officer with RENADHOC.

Further Information

On 15 March 2009, at 2.36 p.m., Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya were arrested by armed members of the Congolese National Police and other individuals in civilian clothing at the end of a press conference on the inter-institutional crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Headquarters of the RENADHOC, avenue Luanga 1517, Quartier/Ndolo, Commune de Barumbu.

The armed police officers arrived in three vehicles and took away Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya by force, threatening approximately ten other human rights defenders and journalists with firearms. Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya were taken to the Agence Nationale des Renseignements – ANR (National Information Agency), and have been allegedly subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in detention.

Computers, stationary, and CCTV security cameras were also taken from the RENADHOC office. The objective of the press conference was to announce a peaceful march and sit-in demonstration at the Palais du Peuple planned by NGOs in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to present a memorandum to the Chairmen of the Senate and the National Assembly.

Front Line believes that Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya have been arrested because of their legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Floribert Bahizire, Dolly Inefo Mbunga and Donat Tshikaya while in detention.