Originally published on September 20, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Goal: Investigate the abduction and murder of a human rights advocate

Eight days after being kidnapped by an armed group of men, the corpse of a human rights activist was found in a forest. While promoting a campaign against forced marriage and human rights abuses, the activist was abducted and murdered by the group committing many human rights violations. The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must investigate the execution of this human rights advocate and bring to justice the men who abducted and killed him.

While working for Rapid Aid to Disaster Victims, Mutebwa Kaboko promoted human rights by providing help to disaster victims. As the organization led a campaign against the practice of forced marriage, Kaboko reported human rights abuses committed by local armed groups such as the Mai-Mai Yakutumba. Earlier this year, the human rights activist had been kidnapped and held prisoner in the forest for five days by the Mai-Mai Yakutumba.

Months later, Kaboko was again abducted by an armed group suspected of belonging to the Mai-Mai Yakutumba. Sadly, this time they did not allow him to survive. After eight days, Kaboko’s body was found in a forest overlooking the town of Makama. Although the Mai-Mai Yakutumba have not yet taken credit for his murder, the group has named in several reports from Kaboko documenting human rights violations.

By signing the petition below, you will urge the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, to investigate the abduction and murder of Mutebwa Kaboko and bring his perpetrators to justice.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Kabila,

Eight days after being kidnapped by an armed group, the body of human rights worker Mutebwa Kaboko was discovered in a forest. At the time of his death, he had been campaigning against the practice of forced marriage and reporting human rights violations committed by local armed groups.

Several months before his murder, Kaboko had been abducted by the Mai-Mai Yakutumba. The armed group held him in the forest for five days before releasing him. Members of the Mai-Mai Yakutumba are suspected of kidnapping Kaboko again and executing him in the forest.

The family and friends of Kaboko deserve justice for his abduction and death. Other activists reporting human rights violations require protection from armed groups operating with impunity. I urge you to investigate these crimes committed against Mutebwa Kaboko and prosecute those responsible for his death.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: L. Rose via Wikimedia Commons