Posted 2010/6/2
DRC: UPDATE - Front Line calls for investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire
Front Line is calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire. Mr Chebeya Bahizire's body was found in his car on the outskirts of Kinshasa on Wednesday 02 June, according to a police source. The body of Mr Chebeya Bahizire's driver Mr Fidele Bazana Edadi has reportedly been found today (Thursday).
Further Information
Floribert Chebeya Bahizire was President of human rights organisation La Voix des sans voix (VSV). VSV had issued a statement expressing their concern at the disappearance of Mr Chebeya Bahizire and his driver, Mr Edadi who is also a member of VSV. VSV had received no news from Mr Chebeya Bahizire or his driver since Tuesday evening when they had reported to the Central Police Station in response to a summons.
On the afternoon of Tuesday 1 June Mr Chebeya Bahizire received a phone call from the Central Police Station requesting him to attend a meeting with Inspector General John Numbi Banza Tambo. No reason for the meeting was given. On arriving at the police station Mr Chebeya Bahizire could not contact Inspector General Tambo and informed his family by sms text that he was returning to the city.
His body was found on Wednesday 02 June in his car which was abandoned on the outskirts of Kinshasa. According to the police source there was no sign of violence on Mr Chebeya Bahizire's body. Unconfirmed reports claim that the body of Mr Chebeya Bahizire's driver, Mr Fidele Bazana Edadi, was found today (Thursday).
Front Line is calling on the congolese authorities to carry out a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mr Chebeya Bahizire and his driver.
