UN Human Rights Chief Accuses M23 Rebels of Atrocities in Eastern DRC
The UN human rights chief has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of killing children and attacking humanitarian sites in the DRC. Following their capture of Bukavu, reports indicate instances of recruitment of child soldiers. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, amidst complex geopolitical tensions involving Rwanda.
The United Nations human rights chief has accused Rwanda-backed rebels, known as M23, of committing severe human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This includes killings of children and assaults on healthcare facilities and humanitarian aid storage sites following their recent capture of Bukavu, a major city with a population of 1.3 million.
Volker Türk emphasized that his office has verified instances of summary executions of children allegedly perpetrated by M23 after taking control of Bukavu. There are also reports of children being armed. Although specifics were not provided, UN agencies have previously reported that both M23 and Congolese government forces are involved in the recruitment of child soldiers.
The M23 rebels, having taken Bukavu after seizing Goma last month, have intensified conflict in the region, with at least 3,000 fatalities reported and thousands displaced from Goma. This group, one of more than 100 armed factions fighting over the DRC’s extensive mineral resources, reportedly receives support from approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops.
Rwanda alleges that the DRC government is recruiting Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. M23 claims its military actions are aimed at safeguarding Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination, while critics argue that this claim merely serves as a guise for Rwanda’s interference in DRC affairs.
In contrast to M23’s brief seizure of Goma in 2012, analysts suggest that the rebels are now pursuing a longer-term political agenda. The ongoing violence has resulted in over six million people being displaced, marking this as one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises.
In response to escalating violence from armed ethnic groups, a Ugandan military official announced the deployment of Ugandan troops to the eastern Congolese city of Bunia to assist the Congolese army.
In summary, the human rights violations attributed to M23 rebels in eastern DRC underline a severe humanitarian crisis, with alarming reports of child soldiers and targeted killings. The geopolitical complexities exacerbated by Rwanda’s involvement complicate the situation as both local and international forces grapple with the ongoing conflict. The urgent need for intervention and resolution in the region remains critical.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
