Civil society organisations sound alarm after brutal murder of indigenous people in DR Congo

Civil society organisations, including IUCN NL, are sounding the alarm after the brutal murder of 46 pygmies in a village in the Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group was brutally murdered on January 14 for unknown reasons. The victims also included women, children and the elderly.

On January 14, 46 pygmies in DR Congo’s Ituri province were brutally beheaded. Although it remains unclear who is responsible for this brutal attack, it is assumed the motive has to do with expropriation of the tribe’s territory.

Urgent call on Congolese president

The murder of these Indigenous Peoples has sparked dismay and anger among civil society organisations around the world. 79 organisations, among which IUCN NL and various local partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, therefore signed a cry for help to the Congolese president.

Ensuring the rights and safety of Indigenous Peoples

They call on the president to put an end to the insecurity in the East of his country. The organisations remind the president of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and his duty to protect them. With the letter, they draw attention to the increasing insecurity of indigenous groups and urge for action to ensure the rights and safety of Indigenous Peoples.