The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro is investigating the death of Congolese Moise Mugenyi Kabagambe, 24, found dead in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio, last Monday (24). According to family members of the young man, he was beaten to death after asking for back wages at the kiosk where he worked as a kitchen help.
The Congolese community in Brazil released a letter of repudiation stating that Kabagambe was beaten by five people, including the kiosk manager, with a baseball bat. "This brutal act not only manifests the structural racism of Brazilian society, but clearly demonstrates xenophobia in its forms against foreigners," reads the note of repudiation, noting that Brazil is a signatory to conventions that guarantee the protection of human rights.
On Saturday (29), friends and family of the young man held a demonstration in front of the kiosk. They held placards calling for justice and saying that the Congolese community in Brazil will not be quiet. "My son grew up here, studied here. All his friends are Brazilians. But today it's a shame. They killed him. I just want justice," said Ivana Lay, the young man's mother, to TV Globo's "Bom Dia Rio."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon