The first retweet of 2018 we made is a tweet from our founder Max Dana in which she mentioned the events in Congo:
As a new year starts, I'm very concerned by the dire situation of so many people, here and abroad. Current events in #Iran and #DRC are preoccupying. Hard to wish an happy new year per se but at least hope for the better. Make everyday of 2018 count, filled with empathy & respect
— Max Dana (@MaxDana) January 1, 2018
And our first post of 2018 is about horrific crimes perpetrated in Kavumu, Congo. Last year on December 14, we posted an article written by Jacqueline Fall: A psychologist alongside traumatized children in Kavumu.
Fall is an expert medical consultant for Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and in her article published on Trial International Website, she writes:
I have not been surprised by the details of the Kavumu case since sexual assaults on children are part of my everyday work. The distinctive aspect of this case, compared with those that I encounter, is the kidnappings and torture executed massively and systematically. Here, the crimes seem to have been committed as part of a defined plan. It is the serial nature of these assaults which contributes to the extremely complex character of the case.
In the latest Newsletter of 2017 by the Panzi Foundation titled: Justice in Kavumu – Child Rapes and Murders Declared Crimes Against Humanity in Landmark Case, we can read more details on what really happened in Kavumu:
The crimes of murder and systematic rape of very young children perpetrated by Frederic Batumike, a Congo parliamentarian, and his militia terrorized children, parents, and the community of Kavumu for more than a year. The heinous nature of the attacks created an outrage that spread far beyond Kavumu.
The Panzi Foundation provides a description of the horrific injuries…
Infants, toddlers, and young children sustained grievous, extensive injuries to their organs and reproductive systems. The severity of the trauma each child and family still faces cannot be understated. Injuries include the destruction of the cervix, reproductive organs, bladders, fistula, and severe trauma to the abdomen. It is unknown if, or how many, of the surviving girls will recover and have normal sexual or reproductive functions.
The last words of the newsletter is a wake up call to the international community:
The child rapes in Kavumu shock the conscience, and we cannot – and should not – distance ourselves from this reality. While justice is denied any victim – the work must continue. The international community must respond. Justice in Kavumu must be a step towards ending impunity in Congo, and around the world.
You can support the great work done by the Panzi Foundation by making a donation on this page.
