Stanislas M. Samuel, a human rights defender, was recently the target of an attack on his home by armed men. This assassination attempt took place on the night of July 10 and was the result of a violent intrusion by individuals in uniform.
According to available information, it was midnight when these criminals broke into Stanislas M. Samuel’s home. They opened fire several times before trying to force the door of his house. In this appalling attack, Stanislas M. Samuel’s wife was panicked and their 7-year-old daughter was injured.
Stanislas M. Samuel’s wife testified to this terrible experience, declaring that she had been tortured and threatened by the assailants who demanded to know where her husband was. Despite his response that he was overseas on a mission, the attackers made threats to come back and kill him. The gravity of the situation prompted neighbors to react, drawing the attention of the assailants who fled.
Human rights defenders in the province of South Kivu call on the international community to conduct an independent investigation to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice. These acts of violence against human rights defenders are unfortunately frequent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where impunity remains a major problem.
Stanislas M. Samuel recently spoke on Radio Notre Dame de Tanganyika in Uvira, denouncing the numerous human rights violations and calling for an end to impunity in the DRC. This public speaking could have been the cause of his being hunted down by the Congolese security forces and would have led to this violent attack.
It is essential that the international community lend its support and demand that light be shed on this incident. The protection of human rights defenders is essential to ensure the promotion and defense of fundamental rights in the DRC.
It is also crucial to raise public awareness of the situation of human rights defenders in the DRC. Their work is essential to ensure justice, equality and respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens. By supporting and promoting their action, we contribute to the construction of a fairer and more equitable society for all