Protect human rights defender Justine Masika Bihamba
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Justine and her family have been attacked because of her work as coordinator of a women’s human rights organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In September 2007 soldiers forced their way into Justine’s home while she was out, and tied up her six children at gunpoint. One of the soldiers assaulted her eldest daughter, then sexually assaulted and attempted to rape another daughter.
Although Justine and her children were able to identify the soldiers, they have still not been arrested or brought to trial.
'All we want is an end to this impunity' - Justine Masika Bihamba, 2008
Justine Masika Bihamba is coordinator of a women’s rights organisation, Synergie des Femmes contre les Violences Sexuelles. Workers at the organisation have regularly been threatened and attacked because of their peaceful work against sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Justine Masika Bihamba and her children have been threatened repeatedly by the men, whom they regularly see in the streets around their home. Twice some of the soldiers have come to Justine’s house, and threatened the family. Justine’s five year-old son now fears he will be killed whenever he sees a soldier, and her two daughters have fled abroad.
Email the Congo's authorities calling for the immediate protection of human rights defender Justine Masika Bihamba and her family.
