3 June 2011


DRC:  Break in at the office of Association des Mamans Chrétiennes pour I’ Assistance aux Vulnérable – AMCAV (Christian Mothers' Association for Assisting the Vulnerable)*

During the night of 28 and 29 May 2011, unidentified individuals broke into the office of  *Association des Mamans Chrétiennes pour I’ Assistance aux Vulnérable – AMCAV* (Christian Mothers' Association for Assisting the Vulnerable). Various reports and documents of the Association were taken as well as dozens of photos of members of the association, which were taken during activities organised by AMCAV. AMCAV is a women association active in the fight against violence against women and children.

The unidentified individuals entered the offices of AMCAV by breaking the entrance door. The alarm was raised at around 7 am on 29 May by the owner of the office rented by AMCAV. The owner lives in the same compound and noticed the broken door and the papers thrown across the floor.

Bernadette Ntumba, coordinator of AMCAV, noticed that a number of important documents and reports of the association had been taken as well as a selection of 77 photos, 22 of which were stuck on the wall and 55 of which were taken from an album. Besides the damage to the entrance door, the cupboards in the office tables were destroyed and their contents trawled through.

Two officials from the judicial police arrived at the scene following a request made by AMCAV to the public prosecutor and the chief of police of the district of Tanganika.

A few days earlier, on 20 May 2011, Bernadette Ntumba was visited at her home by a stranger who questioned her about a case that the association is currently working on.

Given the nature of the items taken during the break in and the visit to the home of Bernadette Ntumba prior to the break-in, Front Line believes that the incident may be linked to AMCAV's human rights activities. AMCAV fears that the photos and reports may have been taken in order to identify the most active members of the association and their role in denouncing human rights violations.

Front Line urges the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

1. Follow up tothe intervention of the police after the break-in a the seat of AMCAV, and undertake a thorough, independent and impartial investigation with a view to identifying the  perpetrators of the break-in, publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
   
2. Take all necessary measures  to ensure that AMCAV and its members can continue their     work in defence of human rights without fear;
   
3. Guarantee  that all human rights defenders in DRC are able to carry out their legitimate     human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.