The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet has expressed concern about the resurgence of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with nearly 3,000 reported deaths in 2020.
The cycle of violence has already claimed the lives of 2,945 civilians, including 553 women and 286 children according to Ms. Bachelet, a former Chilean president who has been heading the UN rights office since 2018.
A proven champion of human rights with innovative leadership, the trained physician-pediatrician pointed out that five reports produced last year referred to the “alarming” situation in the eastern DRC.
These reports confirm a 21 percent increase last year of human rights violations against civilians in the east of the country, which is plagued by violence from armed and inter-communal groups.
Armed gangs operating in the area are now targeting international organizations.
In February, gunmen targeted a World Food Program (WFP) convoy in North Kivu, killing Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio, his bodyguard and his Congolese driver.
Meanwhile the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Bineta Keita, has called for a series of measures ranging from “strengthening the fight against impunity, the establishment of a credible and holistic transitional justice process, and creating a credible demobilization, disarmament and community reintegration programme”, for a return to lasting peace in the troubled area.
CD/lb/as/APA