9 June 2004
REBELS TARGET JOURNALISTS
In the eastern region of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where rebel forces have captured the town of Bukavu, journalists and radio stations have come under fire, report Journaliste en danger and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Three of Bukavu's community radio stations - Radio Maria, Radio Maendeleo and Sauti ya Rehema (Voice of Mercy) - have been forced off the air after their directors received death threats. Shortly after capturing the town on 2 June 2004, rebels began hunting down Joseph Nkinzo, Ben Kabamba and Kizito Mushizi, says JED.
Nkinzo narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when armed men arrived at his home and demanded to know where he was. They killed his brother. Nkinzo and Mushizi have taken refuge at the U.N. compound in Bukavu.
The attacks have left Radio Okapi, which is funded by the Swiss-based Hirondelle Foundation and managed by the U.N., as the only independent radio station still broadcasting in Bukavu, says CPJ. The station broadcasts from inside the U.N. compound.
The DRC is emerging from a brutal five-year civil war that has left as many 3 million dead, according to one estimate. Human Rights Watch notes that despite the establishment of a power-sharing agreement and transitional government in June 2003, armed groups continue to commit human rights violations in eastern DRC. Some of these groups are said to be linked with Rwanda and Uganda.
Visit these links:
- JED: http://www.jed-congo.org/
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/africa03/drc.html
- Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/02/02/congo7230.htm
- Radio Okapi: http://www.radiookapi.net/
- U.N. Mission in DRC: http://www.monuc.org/Home.aspx?lang=en
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