Brussels 26.10.2021 Sakharov Prize winner Doctor Denis Mukwege canceled all the appointments he had scheduled for this week on Monday, October 25. In particular, he was to be received at the Brussels parliament on Monday noon. And give several interviews on his new book on Tuesday, October 26, before attending the premiere of Thierry Michel’s film tonight (The Empire of Silence) in which he plays an important role. Its entire program was canceled for “medical reasons” according to its editor Gallimard.

Several people around Dr Mukwege confirm to Le Soir that he was hospitalised in Brussels “earlier than expected” without giving further details. “He is well, he is resting”, we are told to a good source by insisting well on the fact that a surgical intervention had been planned for some time but that the doctors considered that it had to be brought forward compared to the date initially set.

Denis Mukwege (66), Nobel Peace Prize 2018 for his fight against violence against women, is on tour in Europe on the occasion of the release of his new book: “La force des femmes” (Gallimard).

Since 1999, world-renowned Congolese gynaecologist Dr Denis Mukwege, has been fearless in his efforts to heal survivors of sexual violence in DRC and to advocate for ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. “There will be no peace in DRC until the reign of impunity ends”, he stated at the launch of his petition in October 2020, calling for transitional justice in his country.

A doctor from the Democratic Republic of Congo has won Europe’s top human rights award – Sakharov Prize – for helping thousands of gang rape victims in the country.