Abduction of human rights defender Bandeko Namuhenda
On 19 July 2020, at around 3pm, human rights defender Bandeko Namuhenda was released by his abductors. During his time in captivity, the defender was beaten and tortured, and is in need of medical attention.
On 16 July 2020, human rights defender Bandeko Namuhenda was abducted by six armed unknown assailants at his home in Uvira, in South-Kivu province.
Bandeko Namuhenda is a human rights defender and member of the organization Lutte pour le changement (Fight for Change – LUCHA) RDC Afrique. LUCHA RDC Afrique is a civil society movement advocating for social justice and encouraging citizens to fight for the promotion and respect of human rights through campaigns and petitions.
On 19 July 2020, at around 3pm, human rights defender Bandeko Namuhenda was released by his abductors. During his time in captivity, the defender was beaten and tortured, and is in need of medical attention.
On 16 July 2020, human rights defender and member of the organization Lutte pour le changement RDC Afrique (Fight for Change DRC Africa – LUCHA RDC Afrique) Bandeko Namuhenda was robbed and abducted by six armed, unknown individuals at his home in Uvira. In the days prior to his abduction, the defender and three other members of LUCHA RDC Afrique had received death threats, following a march organized by the group on 8 July in Uvira in support of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their efforts to bring peace and security to the Minembwe highlands.
Bandeko Namuhenda was taken to an unknown location by the abductors, where he was then severely beaten and tortured. They threatened the defender against continuing his human rights work, as well as threatening that the three other LUCHA RDC Afrique members who had already received threats via phone call, would also be killed if they continued their work. Bandeko Namuhenda was released on 19 July at around 3pm, nine kilometers from the city of Uvira where he lives.
Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned by the abduction of Bandeko Namuhenda, as it believes it was solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate activities in defense of human rights. Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in DRC to carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the abduction of the defender, with the aim of bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards, and to take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Bandeko Namuhenda and all members of LUCHA RDC Afrique.
On 16 July 2020, human rights defender Bandeko Namuhenda was abducted by six armed unknown assailants at his home in Uvira, in South-Kivu province.
Bandeko Namuhenda is a human rights defender and member of the organization Lutte pour le changement (Fight for Change – LUCHA) RDC Afrique. LUCHA RDC Afrique is a civil society movement advocating for social justice and encouraging citizens to fight for the promotion and respect of human rights through campaigns and petitions.
On 16 July 2020, at around 7:20 pm, six armed unknown individuals broke into Bandeko Namuhenda’s home while he was inside with his wife and his son. After robbing the defender’s laptop, three phones and some money, the assaillants abducted the human right defender. His family reported to the police station and has not received any information on his whereabouts since his abduction.
Bandeko Namuhenda’s family believes the defender has been targeted in reprisal for his legitimate and peaceful human rights activities.
On 8 July 2020, LUCHA RDC Afrique organised a march in Uvira to support the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo soldiers and their efforts to bring peace and security to the Minembwe highlands. After this march, on 10 and 12 July, Bankdeko Namuhenda and three other members of LUCHA RDC Afrique received death threats from an unknown number, threatening to kill them if they continue their human rights activites in Uvira.
Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned by the abduction of Bandeko Namuhenda and the targeting of members of LUCHA RDC Afrique as it strongly believes that it is directly linked to their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.
