#WomenRightsMatter #MothersRightsMatter

Imagine receiving a call that your mother has been kidnapped by rebels, intimidated, and forced to choose between her safety and her home. This heart-wrenching scenario is the reality for my family. My mother, Oriya Nabagenzi, a courageous woman who is neither a politician nor a combatant, is facing forced displacement from our family home in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Due to our family's active voice in the anti-war advocacy around the world, my mother was detained without cause and told she must leave her home and the city because of our family position against the war. This situation is not just illegal; it is deeply unjust. The intimidation and coercion targeting my mother and our family exemplify the misuse of power and infringement of fundamental human rights. 

The ongoing eviction attempts are not merely a personal attack; they reflect broader systemic issues of unlawful forced displacements that many in eastern DRC are facing. Such actions directly contravene Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which ensures the right to an adequate standard of living, including housing, without the threat of evictions.

We demand that the local authorities in Bukavu, US government (principal mediator in the eastern DRC conflict),  EU, AU, EAC and human rights organizations intervene to protect my mother and ensure the safety and legal rights of families like ours. We urge the AFC/M23 to adhere to international human rights laws and regulations, putting an end to these illegal displacements and securing safety for all Congolese citizens in the territories under its control.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. Help us ensure that my mother, Oriya Nabagenzi, can continue to live without fear in her rightful home. Your support can make a difference—help us bring an end to forced displacements, harassment, and intimidation in eastern DRC.

#Protect