Over 30 African NGOs, including IHRDA, have issued a joint statement in support of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dr. Denis Mugwege’s effort to demand justice for victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In the night of 16 to 17 July, 2020, armed men killed at least 18 persons in Kipupu, the South Kivu highlands. Noting that such actions continue because the authors are almost sure to enjoy impunity, Dr. Denis Mukwege, in a tweet posted 23 July, 2020, denounced the said massacre, recalling that the killings perpetrated in the area have caused, to this date, more than six million deaths, and calling for the establishment of a criminal court to judge the perpetrators of these acts. This position has cost him and his relatives intimidation and death threats.
In statement issued 15 September 2020, the African NGOs have called on the State of DRC to carry-out investigations into the death threats and intimidation received by Dr. Denis Mukwege and his relatives, and prosecute those responsible; also to take steps towards ensuring that victims of sexual violence have access to justice. The NGOs also call on the United Nations and the international community to continue supporting the security and protection of Dr. Denis Mukwege and his relatives, and to support the State of DRC in its efforts to end impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of sexual violence.
