The dramatic liquidity crisis having an impact on the UN and its global partners has already prevented a high -level survey in terms of human rights in the urgency of the DRC created in February from starting.
According to testimonials gathered by Ohchr Investigators on generalized violence in the North and South Kivu of the DRC since January, members of The rebellious M23 paramilitary group supported by Rwanda “systematically” achieved generalized sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery.
And while the M23 fighters captured the big cities in northern and southern Kivu, including Goma, “women and girls have been disproportionately targeted,” said spokesperson for the Ohchr Ravina Shamdasani, referring to an information mission report DRC for the Human Rights Council.
“But men, boys and LGBT people were also victims of sexual violence, including in detention.”
This report documents the failure of all parties to adequately protect civilians in the conduct of hostilities, especially when taking control of Goma by M23 and RDF at the end of January, as well as attacks against schools and hospitals.
Trucks
The information collected by the mission of teaching the facts indicated that hundreds of children were detained by members of the M23 this year – and that many were recruited by force to fight against government forces, the FARDC.
“M23 has held thousands of civilians, mainly during cord and research operations carried out almost daily since January”, “ The mission report explains.
“” Many of those detained – mainly valid men and boys around 15 years and over – have been loaded in trucks and removed. Relatives of detainees said in search of their relatives ranging from one place of detention to another, but being hunted, threatened or beaten. »»
The report to the Human Rights Council was intended to serve as a basis for a potential investigation into war crimes by another main inquiry organization – a commission of inquiry – that the 47 member states of the forum created in February of this year.
But the tightening of cash affecting the UN human rights work left the panel without adequate funding to achieve her mandate, said Shamdasani to journalists in Geneva.
Of the peace agreement hopes broken
The report also expresses its concerns about the lack of concentration on responsibility and support for victims of the peace agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda on June 27.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged action and responsibility following the publication of the report. “It is heartbreaking and deeply frustrating to see, once again, the dehumanization of the civilian population by those in power who fail in their responsibilities,” he said.
“The rapid implementation of the commission of inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council to continue this vital work is essential,” he insisted. “We are no less uncomfortable of victims.”
All the parties at war are responsible
Answering the questions, Shamdasani noted that the information appearing in the DRC report said that the raw human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law had been committed by all the parties to the conflict – “by the M23, supported by the Rwandan defense forces, as well as the Congolese armed forces and the affiliated armed groups”.
She added that the M23 group, ” With training, equipment, information and operational support for Rwandan Defense Forces“, Captured the big cities in the north and southern Kivu.
Detainee and tortured
They then engaged in a campaign of violent intimidation and repression thanks to a recurring model of summary executions, torture and forced disappearances and forced recruitment, so that there are “reasonable reasons” to believe that M23 fighters may have committed crimes against humanity, added Shamdasani.
The rapes were repeated over prolonged periods, she said, often in conjunction with additional acts of physical and psychological torture and other ill-treatment, with the intention of degrading, punishing and breaking the dignity of the victims.
Civilians try to go home to Dr. Congo, after fled by M23 rebels.
“Hundreds of children were detained by M23 and young men recruited by force. The report exposes the huge conflict toll on children of all ages, “added the spokesperson for the OHCHR.
The report on the information mission identifies daily violations in the entire territory under the control of the M23, indicating a high degree of organization, planning and mobilization of resources.
The report also documents the serious violations committed by the FARDC government forces and affiliated groups, such as Wazalendo. He highlights a scheme of murder of civilians and the generalized use of sexual violence, mainly rape and rape of gangs against women and girls, and looting by FARDC members, and Wazalendo when they retire the first lines in January and February.
“The report also notes that DRC and Rwanda both have their responsibility for supporting armed groups With known history of serious abuse, and not to have respected their obligations to take all measures to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and protect civilians against serious damage, “noted Shamdasani.
Help for victims
The United Nations Human Rights Office supports victims of sexual violence and gender by focus on their needs.
The office also provides technical assistance and legal frameworks to countries in order to promote human rights of women and girls, in order to prevent them and protect them from sexist violence.
As part of their work, UN workers engage with school, religious and community leaders to question harmful gender standards on the education of girls and their acceptable roles in society. They also lead discussions on the negative consequences of early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
