Golden Misabiko, DRC

A. Presentation:

It is a privilege for me to stand in front of you in order to give my humble testimony at this International Conference organized by Frontline, The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. I am one of many Human Rights Defenders in the Congo and have been leading the Katanga-Branch of the African Association for the Defence of Human Rights, ASADHO, in short. As I stand in front of you, I feel that I am bearing three different faces: -The first one is the face of a human rights defender who accepted the call and the mission to serve the humanity in making people respect life and the rights inherent to it. -The second one is the face of the victim of Human Rights violations as I was kidnapped, deported, tortured, sequestrated during eight months under inhumane and humiliating conditions; and who has been sent to exile. -The third one is the face of one of the many beneficiaries of the prompt extraordinary rescuing actions of Front Line in the world. B. Environment:

Congo Kinshasa has been at war for many years. War being naturally, the environment where many human rights violations are committed: torture, rape, disappearances, sequestration, extra-judiciary executions, permanent death threats… The human rights defenders in the Congo work under the above-mentioned conditions. This is the reason why they absolutely need international protection - as they remain the targets of the groups engaged in the conflicts. The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights, is the organization that the human rights defenders in the Congo had been dreaming of for years. C. Personal Experience:

In 2000 a group of people were arrested in Kinshasa by M. Kabila’s security service and sent to Katanga, Pweto, via Lubumbashi to be executed. When my office was informed about the human rights violation, My colleagues and I released a press communiqué to denounce the awful deed. The Kinshasa regime had been denying the deed when questioned by international human rights organizations. At the same time I became the merciless target as they knew I was the source of information. February 5, 2001, I was kidnapped and taken to a secret place where my wife and children could not know. The following day, I was put on a plane and send to Kinshasa (2000 km), escorted by a group of M. Kabila’s military officers. When I arrived there, I was taken to a high security place called “G.L.M.”. I knew the place was notorious for its cruel treatments of the unfortunate people who were sent there: It was then, my turn to suffer what other people had been suffering, It was my turn to see what other victims had been seeing, It was my turn to hear what other victims had been hearing. I was beaten, tortured, left without water and food. I could see death everyday

Owing to the pressure of the International Organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, F.I.D.H, … and of FrontLine, The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, I was released on Sept. 13, 2001. D. Thanks:

It is with pride and joy that I say today that I am one of many beneficiaries of the Frontline prompt actions in the world. Feb.21, I was contacted by The Voice of America to give my opinion on the hesitation of some and the refusal for others to go to negotiate peace agreements in South-Africa. I boldly responded that the warring groups had the obligation to go there without delay. I also said that the Congolese people had too much with the war without end that has killed more than four millions. Failing to negotiate would bring us (the Congolese people) to organize in a non violent action to stop the war and install democracy. When the Kinshasa regime heard this statement, they ordered to arrest and harm me. As my life was once again in danger, Frontline started urgent and prompt actions to get me out. I received supporting messages from them. I was encouraged to evacuate. Frontline followed me step by step. Frontline team could not sleep well until they heard I had crossed the border. Their care and love continued to be shown till the country of asylum. The same love and care were shown to my wife, Rose and the children in supporting them morally and financially. I will always be grateful to Frontline for the love, care and compassion they have shown to me and to other Human Rights Defenders all over the world.

Thank you very much.

Golden Misabiko Human Rights Defender/ Congo