The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to slide off the radar despite the horrific cruelty of the violence there. Yesterday it claimed a hero:
The Congolese government must immediately start thorough and independent investigations into yesterday’s assassination of human rights activist Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Front Line said today. Pascal Kabungulu was the Secretary-General of Héritiers de la Justice (Heirs of Justice), a leading human rights organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was also the Vice-President of the regional umbrella Ligue des Droits de l’Homme dans la Région des Grands Lacs (LDGL).
Pascal Kabungulu was assassinated in his home in Bukavu, eastern Congo, in the early hours of July 31. Three armed men in uniform broke into his house, dragged him out of his bedroom and shot him in front of his family. Family members reported that just before his execution the attackers said, “We were looking for you and today is the day of your death.” The men stole Mr. Kabungulu’s laptop, a TV and a tape recorder.
“Pascal Kabungulu was a highly regarded and courageous defender of human rights who gave hope to ordinary people afflicted by war and misery,” the three international human rights organizations said in a joint statement. “Killing a human rights defender means spreading fear across whole communities in Congo.”
Of course that last sentence explains the entire purpose of Kabungulu's murder. From King Leopold to Belgium to Mobutu to the Kabila's, this nation has only known suffering.
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