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APPG on the Great Lakes region of Africa calls for the creation of an independent commission of inquiry over the death in suspicious circumstances of Floribert Chebeya, prominent Congolese human rights defender PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sophia Pickles   
Wednesday, 16 June 2010 10:53

Floribert Chebeya, a prominent Congolese human rights defender and head of leading rights NGO Voice of the Voiceless (VSV), died in Kinshasa on 2 June 2010 under suspicious circumstances.

The APPG has added its voice to the international call for a full, proper and transparent investigation of Mr Chebeya's death and is calling for the creation of an independent commission of enquiry over Mr Chebeya's death.

Mr Chebeya was one of the DRC's most vocal human rights campaigners. The cause of Mr Chebeya''s death is still unknown, although Congoloese authorities have begun investigations. Human rights observers have demanded a joint UN and government inquiry to ensure independence of the investigation, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has offered UN assistance to conduct a full and independent inquiry. UN investigator for extrajudicial executions Philip Alston recently stated that "Floribert Chebeya was killed in circumstances which strongly suggest official responsibility."

The FCO has released a statement expressing deep concerns and calling upon the Congp;ese gpvernment to ensure a full, proper and transparent investigation takes place, in particular given the lack of clarity surrounding the incident.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=22321032

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Last Updated on Friday, 16 July 2010 14:14
 

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