Skip to main content

Denis Mukwege on 24 hours protection after he received death threats for demanding justice for crimes committed in Congo

UN places Nobel Peace Prize winner, Denis Mukwege on 24 hours protection after he received death threats for demanding justice for crimes committed in Congo
Denis Mukwege

The United Nations has redeployed military troops to guard Nobel Peace Prize winner, Denis Mukwege, after he received death threats for demanding justice for serious crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

Mukwege, a joint winner of the Nobel peace prize in 2018 alongside Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict - is a gynecologist whose career has spanned more than 20 years.

 

During his career, he has spoken against several crimes going on in his homeland of Congo.

 

Denis, who is also a pentecostal pastor, founded and works in Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where he specializes in the treatment of women who have been raped by armed rebels.

 

Mukwege survived a major assassination attempt in October 2012 when armed men entered his home, fired shots and killed his bodyguard.

 

The assassination attempt came several weeks after a speech at the United Nations where he denounced the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 16-year-long conflict and called for justice for the crimes and killings.


Mukwege, on social media and UN meetings, has often asked for the implementation of recommendations of a 2010 UN investigation which described more than 600 alleged violent incidents occurring in Congo between 1993 and 2003. He has also been vocal against Rwanda's alleged involvement in the Congo crisis.

 

Now, the UN wary of another attemot on his life, has put him and his family under 24 hours protection by UN military.

 

The UN said the recent threats against Dr. Mukwege via social media and in direct phone calls to him and his family "followed his condemnation of the continued killing of civilians in eastern DRC and his renewed calls for accountability for human rights violations and abuses."

 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also recently warned Mukwege is "at serious risk."

In a tweet on Thursday September 10, Mukwege said: "We welcome the redeployment of elements from #MONUSCO to #Panzi this morning to ensure the safety of our patients and staff," 
"Thank you to the #UN for ensuring our protection."

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The prime suspect in Arotile's death to face culpable homicide

Nehemiah Adejor, the prime suspect who drove the car that killed Nigeria’s first female fighter helicopter, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, is now to be charged for culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy.    This is coming after two of the three suspects arrested in connection to the Air Force officer's death, were set free by Kaduna State Magistrate Court 1.   Though the police noted that there is no premeditation in the death of Arotile, when the case came up on Thursday August 20, the prosecution Counsel DSP Martins D. Leo prayed the Court to discharge the 2nd and 3rd suspects, Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji as their investigation did not find them wanting.   A legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, Bayero Dari Esq which was read out in court revealed that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor for culpable homicide not punishable with death.   It ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Parents charged in horrific murder of their 4-year-old daughter who was boiled alive on New Year's day

                      A Michigan couple has been charged with one of the most heinous murders that is being referred to as the "worst child death case" ever after their 4-year-old daughter died in a "scalding bath" in Michigan. Candice Diaz, 24, and Brad Fields, 28, were charged with murder, torture, and child abuse and both denied bail. Gabrielle died on New Year's Day after living a life filled with abuse. Doctors say she suffered multiple injuries, including severe burns on her limbs after she was in a bath with scalding hot water. A medical practitioner, who examined Gabrielle Barrett's body, described the alleged murder as the "worst child death case" in 27 years of his career, according to a court document. The document also allegedly states that the four-year-old was burned so badly that her big toe fell off, and police found melted skin in the drain. Gabrielle's mother, Diaz, and her partner, Fi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Army arrest 5 militias in Nasarawa State, recover arms

Troops of the 177 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested five suspected militias at Ugyi town in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state. According to a statement issued by Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, army spokesman, the troops also recovered some arms from the militias during a raid. Chukwu also said the troops recovered one Daihatsu SUV jeep, seven motorcycles, six dane guns and one locally made revolver pistol. Other items are four 9mm rounds of ammunition and a cartridge, twenty six daggers and a list containing phone numbers, one sword and forty pieces of customised regalia. He also said the troops recovered the sum of N1, 205 as well as assorted charms. Chukwu said preliminary investigation was ongoing, adding they would be handed over to the appropriate authority on completion of the investigation.   I found this interesting
Post a Comment
Read more