ACTION CLOSED: Protect human rights defender Justine Masika Bihamba

This action is now closed. Thank you to all those who have taken this action. For more actions and updates on individuals at risk, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/cases

Justine Masika Bihamba and her family have been attacked because of her work as coordinator of a women’s human rights organisation.

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 not been arrested or brought to trial.

Send an appeal to the DRC authorities now

UPDATE 5 JULY 2009: We received a letter from Justine

Background information

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. During the evening of 18 September 2007, six army soldiers forced their way into Justine Masika Bihamba’s home, in the city of Goma. The soldiers tied up her six children – aged between five and 24 years – at gunpoint, and demanded to know where their mother was. One of her daughters explained that her mother was out and pleaded with the soldiers to take what they wanted but not to hurt anyone. One of the soldiers replied that they had not come to steal anything, and were on a ‘well-defined mission’.

Some of the soldiers searched the house, breaking down a door and searching through documents. One of them kicked Justine’s eldest daughter, aged 24, in the face, breaking her tooth. The same soldier then tried to rape Justine’s 21-year old
daughter. Having failed to do so, he sexually assaulted her with a knife. Justine Masika Bihamba returned home during the attack, saw the soldiers from the gate and immediately telephoned the authorities. While she was calling, the soldiers fled. In a subsequent search of the neighbourhood with the military police, Justine, her children and other members of her household identified the men. However, the military police refused to arrest the soldiers, claiming that there was no evidence against them.

Justine Masika Bihamba lodged a legal complaint against the soldiers, and in the following weeks and months a succession of senior army officers, the provincial governor and other officials all promised her that justice would be done. In March 2008, the Vice-Governor of the North Kivu military region promised Amnesty International that he would pursue the matter, saying that it was ‘unacceptable that those responsible should remain unpunished.’ However, none of the men involved in the attack has yet been arrested or brought to trial.

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.

Rape crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Rape and sexual violence are endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC ), particularly in the east of the country. The main perpetrators are members of Congolese and foreign armed groups, along with soldiers and police. Over the last few years an increasing number of sexual attacks by civilians have also been reported. Many rapes, especially those by armed groups, involve genital mutilation or other extreme acts of brutality. Some groups also abduct girls and women as sex slaves.

Very few perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to justice. In 2006, a new law was introduced to strengthen judicial procedures and penalties for sexual crimes, but it has not been widely implemented. Rape survivors are stigmatised, suffering social and economic exclusion. Few have access to adequate medical care.

The continuing rape crisis in the DRC is part of a broader pattern of violence and endemic discrimination against women in the country.

This action is now closed. Thank you to all those who have taken this action. For more actions and updates on individuals at risk, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/cases

Justine Masika Bihamba and her family have been attacked because of her work as coordinator of a women’s human rights organisation.

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 not been arrested or brought to trial.

Send an appeal to the DRC authorities now

UPDATE 5 JULY 2009: We received a letter from Justine

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