BUKAVU (CONGO) – A city in eastern Congo witnessed rallies in support of Denis Mukwege, the Congolese Nobel Laureate against whom death threats were levelled at in recent weeks after he questioned serious human rights violations.
On Thursday his supporters protested in the streets of Bukavu, the lakeside home of the doctor. Signs like “Don’t touch our Nobel Prize” were shown by them.
Last week the United Nations said his life was under threat after he and his family received death threats via social media and by phone.
Safina Kusimwa, one of the demonstrators, said, “Our sisters in the forest got raped and ruined. Some completely lost their wombs, and some carried their wombs in their hands.”
“Mukwege put all his efforts into rescuing these women… we do not want to see this. They should leave him in peace.”
“Without truth and justice there will be no lasting peace in DR Congo and neither the victims nor the torturers will be able to rebuild a peaceful future for future generations,” Mukwege said.