JUSTINE MASIKA BIHAMBA - Democratic Republic of Congo

Justine Masika Bihamba and her family have been attacked because of her work for a women's rights organisation. In September 2007, soldiers forced their way into Justine's home while she was out, and tied up her six children, aged between five and 24, at gunpoint. One of the soldiers kicked her eldest daughter in the face, breaking her tooth. He then attempted to rape Justine's 21-year-old daughter.

Having failed to do so, he sexually assaulted her with a knife. Although Justine and her children were able to identify the soldiers, they have not been arrested or brought to trial. Workers at Justine's organisation have regularly been threatened and attacked because of their peaceful work against sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Download a case sheet for Justine Masika Bihamba (PDF)

 

Please send a religious or non-religious card to:

Mme Justine Masika Bihamba
Synergie des Femmes pour les Victimes des Violences Sexuelles
B.P.227 Gisenyi
Rwanda

 

Language - French or English
Salutation - Dear Justine and women of North Kivu
Suggested message - 'We are standing with you in solidarity and wishing you strength'
Translated message - 'Nous sommes de tout coeur avec vous et nous vous soutenons dans votre combat.'

Can I:
send a religious card or message? Yes
send an Amnesty card or mention Amnesty? Yes
include my name and address? Yes

Please don't make political comments in your message.

 

In July 2009 we were really pleased to receive a letter from Justine. This is what she said: 

 

If you'd like to get together with some friends and send cards as a group we've prepared some time savers for you. Below you can download address labels and the translated solidarity message in French to save you doing them all by hand.

Need address labels? Download them for L1763 size labels (Word)

Want to send your message in French? Download a translated message (Word)