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	Murder of human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, condemned worldwide by United Nations News & agencies Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)   June 2010   Senior United Nations officials have called or a prompt and rigorous investigation into the killing of a renowned Congolese human rights defender whose body has been found on the outskirts of the capital, Kinshasa, one day after he was summoned to a police station.   Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Philip Alston and Alan Doss, the head of the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (known as MONUC), have all issued statements condemning the murder of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire.   In his role as president of the non-governmental organization (NGO) known as Voix des Sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless), Mr. Chebeya focused on human rights abuses in the DRC, including corruption in the military and the links between militias and foreign political forces.   He was also the Executive Secretary of the Réseau National des ONG des Droits de l’homme de la République démocratique du Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo National Network of Human Rights NGOs –RENADHOC).   In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban paid tribute to Mr. Chebeya, saying “his reputation as a champion of human rights earned him the respect and admiration of his compatriots and of the international community. His work will be remembered as a tribute to Congolese perseverance.”   Mr. Ban noted stressed that the investigation must be “thorough, transparent and independent, with full respect for due process and rule of law.”   In her statement, Ms. Pillay observed that Mr. Chebeya “had survived many death threats, arrests, and ill treatment due to his work as a human rights defender. He believed in the cause of human rights and was not afraid to pursue it against all odds.”   She said that Mr. Chebeya was considered to be a human rights pioneer in the DRC, speaking out under the repressive rule of the former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and then again during the rule of the former president Laurent-Désiré Kabila and the current national Government.   The High Commissioner added that the killing is part of a growing trend of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, victims and witnesses in the DRC.   Mr. Doss, who is also the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC, said Congolese authorities must swiftly begin an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the killing.   Mr. Alston said the circumstances “strongly suggest official responsibility” and he echoed the calls for an independent investigation. He also paid tribute to Mr. Chebeya, describing him as a “hugely respected human rights leader.”   Since the news of Mr. Chebeya Bahizire"s death, several international and African human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns over the increased harassment of human rights activists in the Congo in the past year.   The Observatory for the Protection of Defenders of Human Rights, called on the Congolese authorities to put an end to all forms of harassment against human rights defenders in DRC and to comply with the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as regional and international instruments concerning human rights ratified by the DRC.
	Iraqi organization wins the 2009 Rights & Democracy’s John Humphrey Award by Aurel Braun Rights & Democracy Canada   Nov. 2009   Rights & Democracy has awarded the 2009 Rights & Democracy"s Human Rights Award to the Iraqi nonviolence network La"Onf in recognition of its efforts to encourage Iraqis to reject violence and build a peaceful Iraq founded on the respect for human rights.   Established in April 2006, La"Onf (“nonviolence” in Arabic) is a national network of civil society organizations consisting of more than 120 organizations from every region of Iraq. Human rights groups, women"s organizations, unions, student groups, humanitarian organizations and cultural associations all work together to carry out campaigns promoting human rights and civic activism among Iraqis from all communities.   Their combined efforts to end the war and political violence, ease sectarian tensions and put an end to corruption are motivated by the common goal of enabling Iraqis to create for themselves a prosperous, peaceful and stable future.   “In a country where war has been raging since 2003, the La"Onf network offers a peaceful and non-violent alternative to Iraqis who wish to participate in the reconstruction of Iraqi civil society institutions and promote democratic change,” said Aurel Braun, Chair of Rights & Democracy"s Board of Directors. “The involvement of Iraqi civil society actors from all sectors is necessary for the democratic development of the country, and for the defence of human rights, especially those of women.”   The Rights & Democracy"s Huamn Rights Award known as the John Humphrey Award was established in 1992 to honour an organization or individual for exceptional contributions to the promotion of human rights and democratic development. La"Onf was nominated by the United States-based organization September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. An international jury presided by Mr. Braun selected the organization unanimously from 102 eligible nominations.   Named in honour of John Peters Humphrey, the McGill University law professor who prepared the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the annual award includes a speaking tour of Canadian cities to help increase awareness of the recipient"s human rights work. Visit the related web page
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