Felix Kaputu

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a small, dark cell, Professor Felix Kaputu listened to the screams of his fellow inmates as they were tortured. Held incommunicado in solitary confinement, Felix was denied food, water and access to a bathroom. He was kept company by rats. He was threatened by prison guards at gun point. And he was told he would die.

Felix had been falsely accused of participating in an alleged separatist group intent on seceding from Congo and declaring independence. A scholar of comparative literature with a PhD specializing in gender issues, religion, and university pedagogy, Felix denies all charges and any interest or involvement in politics.

After an international letter-writing campaign successfully secured his release, Felix returned to his university and rededicated himself to his passion—teaching. But he soon realized that his life as a professor in his former hometown was over; made impossible by the constant presence of security agents and the spread of malicious rumors among his students.  These turned to threats which intensified, forcing him to stop working altogether. To save his life, Felix was forced to flee in 2006, leaving behind his students, his profession, the country he loved so much, even his wife and three daughters.

Scholars at Risk helped Felix restart his life, with academic positions network-members Harvard University, Purchase College–SUNY, and the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan.  Felix also held a multi-year visiting professor position at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Felix has since pursued and completed a second PhD in cultural anthropology and has held positions in Belgium and Brazil.  Felix is one of the many extraordinary at-risk scholars who refuse to be silenced.  Their courage, perseverance and dedication to knowledge and truth inspire us in our lives and motivate us in this important work.

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The SAR Spotlight is a monthly series highlighting SAR scholars, partners, and network activities.