Released on: February 3, 2008, 7:01 pm

Press Release Author: the Rally for the Independence of Kivu (R.I.K.)

Industry: Media

Press Release Summary: RIK vows to declare the independence of Kivu if Kinshasa
fails to end the violence that engulfed the provinces of Kivu since 1996.

Press Release Body: The newly created Rally for the Independence of Kivu (R.I.K.)
www.rikivu.org threatens to declare the independence of Kivu if Kinshasa fails to
end the violence in the provinces of Kivu (Maniema, North & South Kivu) where
increasingly sexual violence has become another undeclared war perpetrated by all
warring parties against the civilian population.

Among other things, the Rally for the Independence of Kivu (R.I.K.) is demanding the
Government of DR Congo to: end the unacceptable violence immediately in the
provinces of Kivu, implement a Sexual Violent Victims Compensation Assistance
Program that will offer monetary compensation and life-term free medical insurance
(physical and psychological) to victims and families of sexual violence, to bring to
justice perpetrators of sexual violence without excuses to ensure that those guilty
of committing sexual violent are dealt with seriously and to stop the insanity of
rewarding violent criminals by appointing the powerful ones to government posts.

According to the spokesperson of RIK, Amede Kyubwa, "the cycle of violence that
engulfed the provinces of Kivu since 1996 has been deliberately exacerbated by the
guilty inability of Kinshasa to bring perpetrators to justice." RIK calls upon to
Kinshasa to restore peace and security in the provinces of Kivu where impunity has
become institutionalized, although not officially recognized. "We strongly believe
that rewarding criminals is bad policy and sets terrible consequences in promoting
the cycle of violence," added Mr. Kyubwa.


Web Site: http://www.rikivu.org

Contact Details: Amédé Kyubwa
info@rikivu.org
916 753 5717