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Murders Of Six At Virunga National Park Condemned By UNESCO

Published Date

April 11, 2018

The murders of six in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including five rangers, this week has been condemned by the director-general of UNESCO.

The rangers and their driver were cut down by MaiMai militia in the park's Central District.

"Virunga has lost some extraordinarily brave rangers who were deeply committed to working in service of their communities," said Virunga Chief Warden Emmanuel de Merode. "It is unacceptable that Virunga’s rangers continue to pay the highest price in defense of our common heritage and we are devastated that their lives have been cut short in this way."

At UNESCO, Director-General Audrey Azoula on Tuesday strongly denounced the attack and called on "the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take all the necessary legal measures to put an end to these repetitive attacks."

The murders on Monday were the third attack this year against the staff of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation in Virunga, and follows similar acts on other World Heritage sites in Central Africa, in Dja and Sangha Tri-National, according to a UNESCO release. Since 1996, attacks in the Virunga National Park have claimed over 175 victims, it added.

The high toll has led the park to establish a Fallen Rangers Fund "to provide a financial safety net for widows and children of Virunga rangers killed in the line of duty." You can donate on this page. 

The director-general called on the international community to help the Institute ensure the safety of local people and staff. With the support of the European Union, UNESCO has been investing for several years in strengthening human capacity and resources of World Heritage Sites in the countries of central Africa that are facing security challenges.

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