lmost one hundred arbitrary homicides, tens of cases of sexual violence, continuous violations of human rights and systematic pillage: this is the dramatic picture emerging from an accurate inquiry by UN peace mission experts (MONUC) in the northeastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The findings were published by a special MONUC investigation unit working in main areas of the North Kivu and Ituri regions, which are rich in natural resources, the control of which has been the source of bitter fighting by rival factions during the 1998-2003 conflict. In fact, the war has not ended in this part of what used to be Zaire, as the UN report testifies.
Mass homicides committed by soldiers of the 123rd Battalion in Buramba, between December 17 and 22, where at least 30 civilians have been deliberately killed in reprisal for the death of three soldiers by other armed forces.
MONUC investigators have accused former rebels of the democratic Congolese Coalition (RCD-GOMA), supported by Rwanda, which for over a year now should have been included in the new national armed forces. Despite the fact they wear the uniforms of the unified army, former pro-Rwandan combatants are responsible of having committed serious violence such as the "mass homicides committed by soldiers of the 123rd Battalion in Buramba, between December 17 and 22", where at least 30 civilians have been “deliberately killed in reprisal for the death of three soldiers" by other armed forces, according to the report.
Moreover, UN human rights experts have reported that in the Masisi territory, not far from the regional capital of Goma, “the 112th and the 115th battalion, along with armed hut civilians, were responsible of committing around 60 arbitrary murders around Dec. 19 and tens of acts of sexual violence”. There was accompanying destruction of homes, looting and all manner of vexation committed against the inert population even in the area of Kanyabayonga, the theatre of bitter fights between government and ‘mutinies’ from the army, against whom, no action has been taken yet.
In an attempt to end the disturbing situation of impunity – which includes almost all rebel factions, some members of which have been integrated in the Congolese army as high officers – the International Criminal Court (ICC) is looking into the matter. From the headquarters of the Aja court, in the Netherlands, we learn that next March 15, there will be a meeting to discuss punitive action regarding the massive violations of human rights in Congo.
Investigators of the ICC are examining the abuse that took place in former Zaire starting on July 1, 2002, when the Court officially started working. The judges of the First Criminal Chamber intend – according to the Court’s statute – meet behind closed doors the general prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, or his substitutes, to prepare the inquiry.
(From MISNA)