Ending the Culture of Impunity in the Provinces of Kivu

March 7, 2008 - PRLog -- The Rally for Independence Kivu (RIK) reiterates its appeal to the government in Kinshasa to end impunity in Kivu immediately or face the consequences of the independence of Kivu. According to the spokesperson of RIK, Amede Kyubwa, despite legal provisions, women and girls continue to live a tragedy that the United Nations and humanitarian organizations are having difficulties bear in Kivu.

RIK "is gravely concerned at the prevalence of uncontrollable incidents of sexual violence and demands Kinshasa to spare no effort to put an end to the growing anarchy in Kivu and to establish concrete mechanisms to ensure the protection of civilian populations" said Kyubwa

RIK again strongly urges the government in Kinshasa to put in place a comprehensive program of compensation for the victims of sexual violence in Kivu, and provide them with free medical care. "Part of eradicating the cycle of violence requires including the victim's families in the treatment. The children, spouses and parents are often affected by violence perpetrated against their parents, their women or girls, added Mr. Kyubwa.

Mr Kyubwa also warned that the time has come for the people of Kivu to prepare to take action that will replace the culture of impunity with a culture of accountability if Kinshasa fails to do so. "As natives of Kivu, we all have a moral and civic obligation to protect the most innocent segments of our populations," added the spokesperson for the RIK.

Website: WWW.RIKIVU.ORG