UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk accused M23 rebels of summary executions and recruiting children in eastern DRC. His office confirmed reports of killings, assaults on hospitals, and recruitment of child soldiers following the M23’s recent capture of Bukavu and Goma. The conflict has led to significant fatalities and displacement, prompting investigations into the atrocities committed by both rebel forces and government troops.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, criticized M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for committing grave human rights violations, including the execution of children and assaulting humanitarian aid facilities. In a recent statement, Turk noted that his office has verified incidents of summary executions of children following the M23’s takeover of Bukavu. Reports also indicated the recruitment of child soldiers by these rebels, alongside violent confrontations in Goma, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement.
Despite Turk’s focus on the M23 rebels, previous allegations highlighted that both the rebels and Congolese government forces have a history of child recruitment. The UN Human Rights Council is currently investigating various atrocities, including heinous acts resembling summary executions, involving both parties in the conflict since early this year. Turk’s office has also documented arbitrary detentions and mistreatment of those fleeing violence in the region.
The M23’s recent success in capturing Bukavu, a city with a population of 1.3 million, follows its earlier seizure of Goma. The ongoing hostilities have reportedly resulted in at least 3,000 deaths and left thousands homeless. The M23 is one among numerous armed groups competing for control over eastern DRC’s resource-rich areas, heavily influenced by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops supporting the rebels.
In response to the conflict, Rwanda accused the DRC of recruiting Hutu fighters responsible for the 1994 genocide, while the M23 claims to aim for the protection of Tutsis and Rwandan-origin Congolese. They claim their mission is to transform the DRC into a stable state, although critics dispute this narrative, alleging it masks Rwanda’s broader interests. Unlike in 2012, when the M23 momentarily took Goma before withdrawing due to international pressure, current assessments suggest the rebels are seeking long-term political influence.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC led by M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, has escalated into severe human rights abuses including child executions and attacks on humanitarian aid. The international community is taking note, with ongoing investigations into these violations. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the implications for regional stability and security remain critical, given the involvement of multiple armed factions and the complex historical context of the region.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
