Africa Action: Activism for Africa Since 1953
**Update: The U.S. State Department has issued a press release. Africa Action is calling upon the Administration to follow up with sustained pressure on the DRC Government.
Africa Action Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Stulman (202) 546-7961
Contact: Michael Stulman (202) 546-7961
Africa Action Joins Call for Thorough Investigation of DRC Activist’s Death
Friday, June 4, 2010 (Washington, DC) – Africa Action calls on the U.S. to forcefully denounce the suspicious death of a leading human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Floribert Chebeya, and support a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into his death.
Floribert Chebeya , head of a national network of human rights organizations and the founder of “Voix des Sans Voix” (Voice of the Voiceless), was found dead in his car in Kinshasa earlier this week, and his driver is missing after allegedly being summoned to visit the Inspector General of the Police.
“The U.S. cannot continue to maintain a deafening silence regarding the countless human rights abuses in the Congo,” said Gerald LeMelle, executive director of Africa Action.
The United Nations, the European Union, and France have joined Congolese NGOs in demanding an inquiry.
Last year in August, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the DRC and stated strengthening accountability in the DRC was a high priority. Africa Action calls on the U.S. Government to support an independent investigation, and follow the case until justice is served for the family, friends, and many supporters of Mr. Chebeya.
Michael Stulman, Associate Director of Policy and Communications said, “When will the U.S. draw the line and say enough is enough? This is yet another example of when a key U.S. military and economic ally in Africa openly mock human rights and democracy, and the U.S. turns its back.”
In the DRC to date nearly 6 million people have been killed as a result of the conflict, over half of these were children. Systematic rape has been used as a tool of war against over 200,000 men, women and children.
For more information on the DRC, click here. For an overview of U.S.-Africa policy in 2010, read Africa Action’s Africa Policy Outlook.
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Friday, June 4, 2010 (Washington, DC) – Africa Action calls on the U.S. to forcefully denounce the suspicious death of a leading human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Floribert Chebeya, and support a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into his death.
Floribert Chebeya , head of a national network of human rights organizations and the founder of “Voix des Sans Voix” (Voice of the Voiceless), was found dead in his car in Kinshasa earlier this week, and his driver is missing after allegedly being summoned to visit the Inspector General of the Police.
“The U.S. cannot continue to maintain a deafening silence regarding the countless human rights abuses in the Congo,” said Gerald LeMelle, executive director of Africa Action.
The United Nations, the European Union, and France have joined Congolese NGOs in demanding an inquiry.
Last year in August, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the DRC and stated strengthening accountability in the DRC was a high priority. Africa Action calls on the U.S. Government to support an independent investigation, and follow the case until justice is served for the family, friends, and many supporters of Mr. Chebeya.
Michael Stulman, Associate Director of Policy and Communications said, “When will the U.S. draw the line and say enough is enough? This is yet another example of when a key U.S. military and economic ally in Africa openly mock human rights and democracy, and the U.S. turns its back.”
In the DRC to date nearly 6 million people have been killed as a result of the conflict, over half of these were children. Systematic rape has been used as a tool of war against over 200,000 men, women and children.
For more information on the DRC, click here. For an overview of U.S.-Africa policy in 2010, read Africa Action’s Africa Policy Outlook.
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