Rwandans in Belgium (DRB-Rugari asbl) are extremely concerned about the growing violence targeting its members in Belgium perpetrated by small groups of Congolese origin.
Several cases of beatings resulting in serious injuries and hospitalization have been reported.
On Saturday, July 28, 2012, one more incident occurred: The young man who we will call J. M. to protect his identity (22) was attacked in the subway station Merode and ended up in hospital with a fractured jaw. For the Rwandan Diaspora this was the last straw.
Such violence is committed in broad daylight, in public places (in the streets or in subways) by organized gangs of “combatants” who are claiming to seek a solution to the war raging in Eastern Congo.
DRB-Rugari is appealing to the Belgian authorities and the Belgian public to address the seriousness of these barbaric acts which constitute a flagrant violation of human rights, compounded by racist and xenophobic verbal aggressions.
These actions are creating a climate of fear and mistrust that undermine the social cohesion that the Belgian government and multiple social welfare associations – including our organization – are working on.
DRB-Rugari request to the Belgian authorities that they take all measures to ensure the safety of its members, as they do for every Belgian citizen or any other person living in its territory.
It is for all these reasons that the Rwandan community in Belgium decided to peacefully protest this outrage on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Place de la Monnaie (1000 BXL) from 2pm to 4 pm.
DRB-Rugari appeal to the members of the Congolese community involved in the violence and hope they will understand that Rwandans living in Belgium are not protagonists of the conflict in eastern Congo and they are, in no way, related to the stakes of this war. Attacking them will bring no solution.
Finally, the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium, invites the Congolese community for a constructive dialogue in order to improve the cohabitation and the relations between the two communities in Belgium.
We hope it will be possible before one more victim suffers as a result of these tensions.
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