The UN Rights Chief, Volker Türk, warned that the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC could significantly worsen without international intervention, citing nearly 3,000 deaths since January 26 due to M23 violence. Both he and Bintou Keita, the Special Representative, highlighted severe human rights abuses, including sexual violence and targeted attacks on hospitals. They called for urgent humanitarian assistance and international action to address the crisis.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, raised alarming concerns regarding the ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a Special Session of the Human Rights Council. He warned that without international intervention, conditions could worsen significantly for the Congolese people and those in neighboring regions. Since January 26, an estimated 3,000 fatalities and nearly 2,880 injuries have been reported due to conflicts involving the Rwanda-backed M23 group.
Mr. Türk highlighted critical human rights violations, including the bombing of hospitals in Goma that resulted in numerous casualties among patients, including women and children. Additionally, a prison break in Muzenze Prison led to the reported rape of female inmates, with many later perishing in a suspicious fire. He expressed grave concerns over the escalation of sexual violence in this long-standing conflict.
Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, echoed Mr. Türk’s sentiments, describing the situation in Goma as “catastrophic” with dead bodies lying in the streets. She emphasized the risks of forced recruitment among youth, the plight of human rights defenders, and the humanitarian challenges, including the resurgence of diseases amidst ongoing hostilities. Keita also urged the international community to advocate for immediate humanitarian assistance.
In response to the crisis, DRC’s Minister of Communications, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, decried the ongoing support for armed groups from neighboring countries, specifically highlighting Rwanda’s influence on the violence in eastern DRC. He attributed the prolonged conflict to Rwanda’s interests in the DRC’s rich mineral resources. Conversely, Rwanda’s UN Ambassador, James Ngango, refuted these allegations, claiming a potential imminent threat due to military preparations by the Congolese government.
Mr. Türk emphasized the need for international action to address the widespread suffering of the DRC’s population, noting that the turmoil is intertwined with the global demand for minerals sourced from the region. He stated, “We are all implicated,” highlighting the shared responsibility in the ongoing conflict and its repercussions for local communities.
The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been marked by long-standing instability, primarily caused by the presence of numerous armed groups. The M23 rebels, predominantly made up of Tutsi fighters, have been at the center of the recent conflict, which has escalated since late January, leading to significant loss of life and displacements. International attention has increased amid calls for investigations into severe human rights abuses occurring in this mineral-rich but heavily afflicted region.
In conclusion, the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is rapidly intensifying as violence escalates, particularly in the eastern regions. The UN has called for immediate international action to prevent further deterioration and to address the severe human rights violations being committed. Both local and international stakeholders must engage to find effective solutions to stabilize the area and protect vulnerable populations from ongoing conflict-related atrocities.
Original Source: news.un.org
