UN High Commissioner Volker Turk accused M23 rebels in eastern DRC of committing summary executions, including of children, and attacking humanitarian facilities. Following their seizure of Bukavu after Goma, the rebels face scrutiny for alleged child recruitment and other human rights violations, as the region grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis.
Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has publicly accused the M23 rebel group of committing grave human rights violations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following their seizure of the city of Bukavu, Turk confirmed reports of summary executions, including the targeting of children, along with attacks on hospitals and humanitarian aid facilities. His office has also documented instances of children being armed and engaged in combat.
The UN High Commissioner noted that while no specific incidents were detailed, previous accusations have emerged against both M23 and Congolese government forces regarding the recruitment of child soldiers. Furthermore, Turk’s office is examining various reports of arbitrary detentions, mistreatment, and the forced return of Congolese young men who are fleeing violence in surrounding regions.
The M23 rebels captured Bukavu, a city with a population of 1.3 million, after taking Goma, located 101 kilometers north, just last month. The conflict has led to the deaths of at least 3,000 individuals and has displaced countless others. The M23 group is one of over 100 armed factions vying for dominance in eastern DRC, an area rich in valuable mineral resources crucial for global technology production.
Allegations have surfaced that Rwanda backs the M23 faction with approximately 4,000 troops. Meanwhile, Rwanda accuses the DRC of recruiting Hutu fighters connected to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The M23 claims it is defending Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination while seeking to transform the DRC into a stable, modern state, a position critics view as a façade for Rwanda’s true ambitions.
Unlike their previous incursion in 2012, when M23 briefly captured Goma under intense international scrutiny, analysts suggest the rebels are now aiming for political power. This prolonged conflict has caused the displacement of over six million individuals, resulting in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of the M23 rebels in eastern DRC, highlighting reports of child executions and armed recruitment. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates due to ongoing violence and instability, both local and international calls for accountability and protection of vulnerable populations are increasingly urgent.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
