Violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Spokesperson: Rupert Colville

25 January 2011

Two separate investigations by MONUSCO and UNJHRO (the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office) to villages in North Kivu and South Kivu have shed light on the extent of violations committed by FARDC soldiers over the new year period.

In Fizi in South Kivu, at least 35 women were raped and 32 people wounded by soldiers of the 43rd FARDC Sector on the night of January 1, the UNJHRO is able to confirm. Eleven people were arrested and 14 shops were looted in Fizi centre, a small town in Fizi territory. Those arrested have since been released.

Eleven soldiers of the 43rd FARDC Sector, including a Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware and three majors suspected of being among the alleged authors of the violations, are currently detained in Uvira at the disposal of the Auditorat Militaire. Trials are expected to take place shortly.

The MONUSCO missions to Fizi took place from 8 to 10 January 2011 and from 19 to 22 January, with a team including UNJHRO staff and representatives of the military prosecutor’s office in Uvira.

In North Kivu, in the village of Bushani in Masisi territory, on the night of 31 December, FARDC soldiers reportedly perpetrated at least 32 rapes, including two pregnant women and one 16-year-old girl. They also arbitrarily arrested 12 people, looted about 50 houses and submitted many villagers to inhuman and degrading treatment. A case of gunshot wound on one woman was also documented by the UNJHRO/MONUSCO team.

The Bushani attack ended at 3 pm on 1 January when the soldiers reportedly received a radio call asking them to move towards Kailenge. On their way to Kailenge, at around 5 pm, the FARDC soldiers also attacked Kalambairo village and looted dozens of houses and the local healthcare centre. Reports also indicate that one house was burnt down by the soldiers.
The mission to the North Kivu localities took place from 17 to 19 January, with UNJHRO and staff of the Child Protection Section of the MONUSCO.
The High Commissioner welcomes the prompt efforts of the DRC authorities, with the support of MONUSCO, to investigate these hideous crimes and arrest the alleged perpetrators.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay calls on the DRC authorities to ensure that the crimes are investigated and alleged perpetrators are brought to justice as soon as possible, and reiterates the availability of her office to continue to support the authorities in this regard.

The High Commissioner remains extremely concerned with the fact that the Congolese army remains responsible for a significant number of human rights violations, including sexual violence, against their own population. In the face of these atrocities she calls on the DRC Government to consider establishing a vetting mechanism in the context of the security sector reform.

The UNJHRO is continuing its investigations and will continue to provide assistance to the authorities in both North and South Kivu with regards to the above incidents to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. The UNJHRO is still seeking to identify the specific units in which the FARDC soldiers involved in the North Kivu attacks are serving. Another mission, together with judicial authorities, will take place as soon as possible.

ENDS

For further information, please contact OHCHR spokespeople Rupert Colville (+ 41 22 917 9767)
or Xabier Celaya (+ 41 22 917 9383) or Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9310)