Geneva: Human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could potentially amount to war crimes, as revealed by UN experts. Volker Trk, speaking at the Human Rights Council, highlighted that investigations and analyses by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) showed a significant disregard for civilian protection during and after military operations.
According to United Nations, the OHCHR’s Fact-Finding Mission in eastern DRC is probing numerous alleged violations of international humanitarian law, many of which may constitute war crimes. Reports indicate that members of the M23 group have engaged in summary and extrajudicial executions, actions that likely amount to war crimes, as stated by Mr. Trk. The Mission is also examining alleged summary executions by the DRC armed forces and DRC-backed Wazalendo militias.
In addition, UN human rights officials are investigating reports of death threats, detention, and other reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members perceived to be critical of the M23. The alleged killings of at least two activists are among the incidents being scrutinized.
Furthermore, the mission has received alarming reports of sexual violence used by all parties as a means of reprisal against communities, relatives of perceived adversaries, and members of different ethnic groups. Mr. Trk indicated that in the regions of North and South Kivu, nearly 40 percent of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are children. UNICEF has estimated that during the height of the conflict, a child was raped every 30 minutes.
Mr. Trk urged all parties involved in the conflict to commit to an immediate ceasefire, resume negotiations, and adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws.