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South Africa: Photographer's Exhibit Exposes Human Rights Abuses
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OPINION
7 August 2007
Posted to the web 7 August 2007
Zimkhitha Mbunge
Cape Town
South African photographer Eric Miller recently launched a thrilling exhibition of rare photographs of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
The exhibition, held in Cape Town and entitled "Rebel Chic", comprises a fascinating series of pictures, accompanied by captions which contextualise the images, taken during the years when the LRA held civilians captive in Northern Uganda.
Each image takes us back to a time when the population of the region was being terrorised by the LRA. The rebels targeted children between the ages of 13 and 15 years, abducting 66, 000 youths during the course of hostilities. Captives were raped, tortured and forced to kill members of their families and community over a period of more than 20 years.
Among the images is one of Agnes Ocitti, who was abducted at age 13, but who did not allow her ordeal to stop her from reaching her destiny. Inspired by what she went through, Ocitti decided that she wanted to help others and eventually received a degree in law. She is now a human rights lawyer who looks forward to continuing her studies and aspires to become a judge.
Another photograph shows Mary, who was kidnapped at age 14. When she escaped two years later she was pregnant and filled with hate. Also potrayed is a nun, Sister Rachele, who traced a group of 139 children who were abducted from a school hostel and pleaded with LRA soldiers to release them. She succeeded in securing the release of 109.
Finally the exhibition features Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA, who failed to win the support of the Acholi people and was forced to retreat into Sudanese territory. Kony now faces the possibility of being charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual enslavement and conscripting child soldiers.
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The exhibit, which has now ended, was displayed at the A.R.T.S. gallery in Cape Town.
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