UN PROTECTS NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE DENNIS MUKWEGE FOLLOWING DEATH THREATS
The United Nations security forces have placed Nobel Peace Laureate Dennis Mukwege under protection following death threats against him.
Dr Dennis Mukwege, popularly known as the man who mends women is a gynaecologist and surgeon who won a Nobel Prize in 2018 for his efforts in trying to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict by treating thousands of rape victims in DR Congo.
An outspoken Mukwege said he received threats to his life following a statement he made condemning the July massacre in Kipupu, a village in South Kivu province.
The threat to Dr Mukwege's life sparked national concerns as Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi called on security agencies to ensure the surgeon's safety and open an investigation into the incident.
Dr Mukwege survived an attack at his home in 2012. He is based near the town of Bukavu at the Panzi hospital, where he treats women who have been raped by militia forces.
On Friday, September 4, Amnesty International called for "urgent and concrete measures" to protect him.
By Thursday, September 9, Dr Mukwege confirmed that the UN security forces MONUSCO has been redeployed to his hospital.
"We welcome the redeployment of elements from #MONUSCO to #Panzi this morning to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Thank you to the #UN for ensuring our protection," Dr Mukwege said in a tweet.
We welcome the redeployment of elements from #MONUSCO to #Panzi this morning to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Thank you to the #UN for ensuring our protection.
— Denis Mukwege (@DenisMukwege) September 9, 2020
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