Democratic Republic of the Congo: The Commissioner

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volcker Turk, said that civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo commented again in the cycle of violence in the grinding conflict there, expressing his deep concern about the continuous violent escalation in the east of the country.

In his speech at the opening of the thirty -seventh special session on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Turk warned that he was “If nothing is done, then the worst is not yet, not only for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also outside the borders of the country.”.

He recalled that since January 26, nearly 3,000 people have been killed and 2880 were wounded in attacks by the March 23 movement and its allies. “With heavy weapons used in populated areas, violent and violent fighting against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its allies”.

The spread of sexual violence

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that two hospitals in Guma were bombing on January 27, killing and wounding many patients, including women and children.

He added that at least 165 prisoners were raped in a mass escape from the Mozinzi prison in Gouma on the same day, and most of them were later killed in a fire in suspicious conditions, according to the authorities.

And Turk said: “I feel panic from the spread of sexual violence, which was a horrific feature of this struggle for a long time. It is likely to get worse in the current circumstances.”He pointed out that United Nations employees are now verifying multiple allegations about the work of rape, collective rape and sexual slavery in the conflict areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He called on all parties to throw their weapons and resume dialogue within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi operations.

He added that all parties to the conflict must respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Bodies are still lying on the streets

In turn, Pinto Keita, the private representative of the Secretary -General of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of the United Nations Mission to achieve stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monosco), said in her speech to the Human Rights Council that the bodies are still dumped in the streets of the Goma, which is now controlled by the Movement of 23. March, warning that the situation “disastrous”.

Keita added: While I speak, young people are subject to forced recruitment and human rights defenders, civil society representatives and journalists are also among the main groups at risk. “.

It stated that Monosco continues to receive individual protection requests on the part of these, as well as from the threatened and at risk of revenge by the March 23 movement in the areas under its control.

And it warned against the health risks associated with the ongoing fighting, “Especially the return of cholera, the high risk of MPOX disease, the sudden interruption of children, the high sexual violence associated with conflict and gender -based violence”.

The UN official pointed out that, according to the latest reports, medical workers are facing electricity interruptions and fuel shortages for their generators for basic services, including the statement.

س In order: “I call the international community again to call for humanitarian aid to Goma immediately.”.

Democratic Congo and Rwanda

In the same session, the Minister of Communications and Information of the Democratic Republic of the Congo spoke, Patrick Moyaya Katimeboy, who said that Rwanda’s support for the March 23 movement led to fueling violence in the eastern Democratic Congo “For more than 30 years, which has exacerbated the war for reasons related to the exploitation of the strategic mining resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”.

He explained that the Democratic Republic of the Congo called for the establishment of an international investigation committee to investigate human rights violations in the country, reach the truth about who is responsible, and to issue recommendations for their accounting.

On the other hand, the Rwandan Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, James Nagango, rejected this claim, and insisted that a widespread attack against Rwanda was imminent.

The Rwandan Ambassador accused the Kinshasa -backed coalition of storing large quantities of weapons and military equipment near the border of Rwanda, most of them at the Goma Airport or around it.

Factory Mission

At the conclusion of the extraordinary session, the Human Rights Council approved a resolution in which a fact -finding mission was established on the grave violations of human rights, abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The council also established an independent investigation committee to continue the work that will be done by the fact -finding mission.

In the decision that was adopted without a vote, the council condemned the most possible phrases of violations and continuous violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and the international refugee law, committed in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, especially:

“Sexual violence associated with conflict, gender -based violence, executions with brief procedures, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, targeted attacks against human rights defenders, journalists and other actors in civil society and peacekeeping forces, bombing displaced sites, hospitals and schools.”

The Council strongly condemned the military and logistical support provided by the Rwandan Defense Forces to the March 23 movement. He called on the March 23 movement to immediately stop all hostilities in the occupied areas, and also called on the Rwandan forces to stop their support for the movement and withdraw urgently from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As for the independent investigation committee stipulated in the decision, it will consist of three efficient experts in international human rights, human rights, and international humanitarian law, appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council as soon as possible.