UN Investigates Alleged War Crimes by M23 Rebels and DRC Army

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) is currently looking into allegations of war crimes involving the M23 rebels and the Congolese national army, FARDC, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the Human Rights Council in Geneva to highlight the findings of the investigation.

Türk emphasized that the investigation conducted by the OHCHR has uncovered a blatant disregard for the safety of civilians during and after military operations in the region. The fact-finding mission in eastern DRC, as reported by the OHCHR, is also examining various other violations of international humanitarian law that could potentially constitute war crimes.

Reports from the UN human rights team indicate that following the capture of towns and villages earlier this year, the M23 rebels, with backing from Rwanda, engaged in the arbitrary arrest of police officers and numerous civilians, including children. Witnesses interviewed by OHCHR have revealed that those detained are being held in deplorable conditions, with some individuals being coerced into joining the M23 ranks.

Furthermore, the mission is looking into allegations of unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances of suspected M23 supporters by the military intelligence division of the DRC armed forces. Disturbing accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by all parties involved as a form of retaliation against communities, family members of perceived adversaries, and individuals from different ethnic backgrounds have also surfaced, according to Mr. Türk.

The investigation by the OHCHR sheds light on the grave situation in the eastern DRC, where civilians have been subjected to various forms of abuse and violations of their fundamental rights. The international community awaits the outcome of this inquiry to hold those responsible for these alleged war crimes accountable for their actions.