UN Human Rights briefing by Ravina Shamdasani on events in DRC

“The Rwanda-backed M23 advance to South Kivu has plunged the region into a complex security and humanitarian crisis, provoking population displacement,” she added.

“Our Office has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. We are also aware that children were in possession of weapons. We call on Rwanda and M23 to ensure that human rights and international humanitarian law are respected. We are also documenting cases of ill treatment, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, child and forced recruitment, intimidation and death threats,” Shamdasani said.

We have also received information about arbitrary arrests and detentions, degrading treatment and alleged forced returns of Congolese young men fleeing violence in neighbouring countries.

“Following the prison break from Kabare and Bukavu central prisons on 14 February, we have received protection requests from victims and witnesses. They fear retaliation from escapees, given their active participation in the trials against some of these prisoners convicted of grave human rights violations and abuses - some of which amount to international crimes,” she said.

The UN Human Rights Office is also concerned for the safety of lawyers and other judicial staff.

They also received reports that journalists, human rights defenders and members of civil society organisations have been threatened and forced to leave the area. Others are still stuck in Bukavu and Goma, and expressed fear for their safety, due to their active engagement for human rights, and their denunciation of violations and abuses committed by Rwanda and M23 in various territories of eastern DRC.

“The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk calls on Rwanda and M23 to protect all individuals in territories under their control, he expresses his horror at the events unfolding in South and North Kivu, and the impact this is having on civilians. The violence must stop immediately,” Shamdasani said.

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Liz Throssell: +41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Seif Magango: +41 79 752 0488 / seif.magango@un.org

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights