United States Department of State (Washington, DC)

Congo-Kinshasa: State Dept. On Attack On Congolese Human Rights Activist

5 November 2012

document

Photo: Cindy Shiner/AllAfrica
Doctors at a clinic in Kinshasa (file photo).

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

November 5, 2012

STATEMENT BY VICTORIA NULAND, SPOKESPERSON

Attack on Congolese Human Rights Activist Dr. Denis Mukwege

The United States calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to investigate thoroughly the events of the October 25 attack on Dr. Denis Mukwege, of Panzi Hospital. We note the prompt response of local law enforcement officials and the UN, and urge Congolese authorities to hold the perpetrators of this senseless violence accountable - and all those who perpetrate violence against the women and girls served by humanitarians as Dr. Mukwege.

A skilled surgeon, Dr. Mukwege has worked tirelessly not only for the health of women in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also for peace in a troubled region. The United States expresses our deep concern over the attack. We are relieved that he is safe, and offer our condolences to the family of his guard, Joseph Bizimana, who was killed while defending Dr. Mukwege.

  • Comment

Copyright © 2012 United States Department of State. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 130 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

Comments Post a comment

InFocus

Call for Probe Into Attack on Prominent Congo Doctor

picture

Gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, who is known around the world for his work with rape victims, fled the country after unknown gunmen shot at him several times as they escaped in his ... Read more »