UN Report: Horrific Violations in Eastern Congo May Amount to Crimes Against Humanity
The United Nations fact-finding mission announced in its report that the serious acts of violence witnessed in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, "committed by all parties" involved in the conflict.
The report stated that the established facts "highlight the severity and extent of the violations and acts of violence committed by all parties to the conflict," including the Rwanda-backed "M23" movement, the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the armed groups affiliated with them.
The report documented violations by the "M23" movement, including extrajudicial executions, torture, and enforced disappearances, which may amount to crimes against humanity.
The report also recorded that the movement engaged in systematic sexual violence, including mass rape, primarily against women, with the intent to "humiliate the victims, punish them, and violate their dignity."
The report indicated that the movement received training and operational support from the Rwandan defense forces, with "credible allegations" of the presence of undercover elements from these forces within the movement.
On the other hand, the report concluded that the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the armed groups affiliated with them, such as the government-aligned "Wazalendo" militias, committed serious violations, including mass rape, intentional killings of civilians, and looting.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commented on the report, stating: "The atrocities mentioned in this report are horrifying," calling for accountability for the perpetrators on behalf of the victims.
This report comes at a time when the eastern Congo region, rich in natural resources and plagued by armed groups, has been experiencing escalating violence for over three decades, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands this year, amidst the risk of an outbreak of full-scale war.
It is noteworthy that this report is the first from the United Nations to conclude that these violations may constitute crimes against humanity, despite previous accusations from human rights bodies.
