In a statement made public by Groupe Lotus, a human rights organization based in Kisangani, Dismas Kitenge, its president, denounced the impunity of the perpetrators and executors of the killings in Kisangani which took place on May 14, 2002. These massacres, perpetrated by the armies of the RCD-Goma rebellion, had caused the death of more than 300 civilians.
Investigations by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and local NGOs have all confirmed the atrocities committed during these events. However, according to the Lotus Group, the sponsors of these killings are still unpunished and some even occupy high positions in the country’s institutions. Several civil society actors in Kisangani have been threatened with death for having dared to denounce these serious crimes.
The president of Groupe Lotus also called for a tribute to the victims as well as to the valiant actors of civil society, while insisting on the need for real transitional justice in the DRC.
The reminder of these sad events in the history of the DRC is important to make the population understand the importance of justice and impunity, so that these massacres are not repeated in the future. It is time for justice to be served for the victims and for the perpetrators of these crimes to be brought to justice. As long as impunity persists, Congolese society will not be able to move forward