All News items from República Democrática del Congo

Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi fue asesinado a los 55 años, en Bukavu, en el este de la República Democrática del Congo. El 31 de julio del 2005, en las primeras horas del día, hombres armados entraron por la fuerza en su hogar y lo asesinaron frente a su familia. Aparentemente, uno de los atacantes dijo: “Te estábamos buscando, hoy es el día de tu muerte”. Pascal era también vicepresidente del grupo regional de derechos humanos de los Grandes Lagos, la Ligue des Droits de l’Homme dans la Région des Grands Lacs.  

A Front Line mission visited Rwanda, Burundi, the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Kenya between 8 and 16 of April 2007. Front Line Director Mary Lawlor and Protection Coordinator Natacha O’Brien met with human rights defenders at risk and national authorities to discuss the protection and security of human rights defenders in the region  

Nelson Ntamba, a human rights defender and journalist with Radio Communautaire de Muanda in the Province of Bas-Congo was severely assaulted by a Police Commandant and by members of the Congolese Armed Forces on 2 February 2007.

Michel Ntamba went to the local Council offices on 2 February to ask the authorities about a recent armed confrontation, which took place in several towns including Natadi, Boma and Muanda. According to official sources, the fighting resulted in the death of about 100 people, which included a dozen soldiers and police officers.

On arrival, Nelson Ntamba witnessed soldiers beating two young men who are been accused of killing an army commander. Suddenly, Nelson Ntamba was violently seized by Police Commandant, Michel Mbuyi and accused of being a spy. Other soldiers rushed in and beat Nelson Ntamba for several minutes. He received severe head injuries. Nelson Ntamba has made a formal complaint against the Police Commandant. Michel Mbuyi.  

6 February 2006

Pascal Kabungulu - findings & recommendations of Front Line/Amnesty International mission in DRC: 1 – 11 November 2005

People interviewed:

Lt. Col. Majaliwa Mulindwa (Auditeur Supérieur or Military Prosecutor): Président de la Commission d’Enquête [phone interview]

Meli Meli Idumbo (Avocat Général): Vice-Président de la Commission d’Enquête

Anicet Muhimuzi Rutebuka (Major P2): Membre de la Commission d’Enquête

Didace Kaningini, Gouverneur (p.i.) de la Province du Sud-Kivu

Lt-Col Thierry Ilunga (Commandant de la 105e Brigade)

Maître Bisimwa (lawyer for the wife of Pascal Kabungulu)

Maurice Bahati, Chargé de l’Administration & Finances, Héitiers de la Justice

Maître Roger Muchuba (Héritiers de la Justice)

Roger Anderson (“petit frère” de Pascal Kabungulu)

Facts relating to the case:

· Pascal Kabungulu’s house is located about halfway down a hill (approximately 50 metres) & is accessed by a steep muddy footpath from the upper road. The track continues down to a lower road. · There are a number of other private houses in the same area. None is protected by a fence or other barrier.  

1 August DR Congo: Prominent Human Rights Defender Assassinated Transitional Government Must Investigate, Bring Killers to Justice

(London -- August 1, 2005) -- The Congolese government must immediately start thorough and independent investigations into yesterday’s assassination of human rights activist Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Front Line said today.

Pascal Kabungulu was the Secretary-General of Héritiers de la Justice (Heirs of Justice), a leading human rights organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was also the Vice-President of the regional umbrella Ligue des Droits de l’Homme dans la Région des Grands Lacs (LDGL).

Pascal Kabungulu was assassinated in his home in Bukavu, eastern Congo, in the early hours of July 31. Three armed men in uniform broke into his house, dragged him out of his bedroom and shot him in front of his family. Family members reported that just before his execution the attackers said, “We were looking for you and today is the day of your death.” The men stole Mr. Kabungulu’s laptop, a TV and a tape recorder.