UN chief "deeply concerned" about civilian suffering in Republic of Congo

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was deeply concerned about security operations undertaken by the government of the Republic of the Congo in the Pool region, which allegedly resulted in attacks against civilian targets, said a statement of Ban's spokesman Wednesday.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said from Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday that there have been reports of mass arrests and torture in detention, as well as the killing and displacement of people from an area of southern Brazzaville, known as "the Pool," according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Ban was also troubled about restrictions on access to the region, which hamper adequate information gathering, evaluation and reporting on the situation, said the statement.

Therefore, Ban urged the government of the Republic of the Congo to ensure that humanitarian and other relevant actors are granted access to the affected areas and population.

Ban also required that security forces act in compliance with the country's obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

Zeid said that any incidents involving the use of force, particularly lethal force, by the security forces must be thoroughly, promptly and impartially investigated, according to Dujarric. Endit