Democratic Republic of Congo – Awarding of the Sakharov Prize to Dr. Denis Mukwege (October 21, 2014)

PARIS, France, October 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- France welcomes the European Parliament's decision to award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Dr. Denis Mukwege.

Through this award, the European Parliament pays tribute to Dr. Mukwege's tireless and courageous commitment to providing the care and psychological support needed by women who have been victims of sexual violence. His hospital in Bukavu is an example of concrete action in a region where atrocities are committed against women on a continuous basis and where these atrocities amount to war crimes.

France has been supporting Dr. Mukwege's action for several years and stands alongside all victims of this unacceptable violence. It hopes that the bestowal of this prize will encourage all parties to take decisive action to combat the impunity of perpetrators of sexual violence, who must be brought to justice.