As allegations of corruption plague members of the European Parliament and the Association Against Impunity and for Transitional Justice (Fight Impunity), the Panzi Foundation would like to share this statement to clarify our relationship with these institutions.
Dr. Denis Mukwege, President of the Panzi Foundation and recipient of the 2014 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded by the European Parliament, has been regularly invited to activities initiated by the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and by elected officials from all political groups.
It is in this context that we feel it is very unfortunate that a noble cause, namely the fight against impunity, is tarnished by a case of corruption.
The activities of the Panzi Foundation related to the fight against impunity for crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have never received financial support from the NGO Fight Impunity; nor has our President participated in any of its meetings. As part of our advocacy efforts for the adoption and implementation of a holistic national transitional justice strategy in the DRC, Dr. Mukwege has participated virtually in two events co-organized by the European Parliament and Fight Impunity.
We look forward to the Belgian justice system shedding light and holding those responsible to account. Furthermore, we hope that the work of the European Parliament in promoting and protecting human rights around the world is not suspended or hindered by this scandal of corruption.
