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UN rights chief calls for immediate stop of "apparent summary executions" in DRC

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Monday called on the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to take immediate steps to halt the "apparent summary executions" by the country's armed forces.

Horrific video footage emerged over the weekend apparently showing soldiers shooting repeatedly and without warning at men and women, according to a statement from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"There are multiple, credible allegations of massive human rights violations in Kasai, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental and Lomami provinces, amid a sharp deterioration in security situation there, including people being targeted by soldiers for their alleged affiliation with a local militia," said High Commissioner Zeid.

"In line with its international human rights obligations, the DRC Government must ensure that its security forces, including the police and the army, respect and protect life and only resort to firearms as a last resort when faced with an imminent threat to life or of serious injury," Zeid said.

A local militia has been increasingly active in DRC's Kasai Central Province, mostly attacking government buildings and churches, and national security forces. The militia also reportedly recruits and uses children.

The UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) has been monitoring the Kamuina Nsapu situation closely over several months and has documented a recent flare-up in violence in Kasai Central Province.

According to the UN office, some 50 people were killed by troops between Feb. 6 and 8 this year, and a further 101 people were reportedly killed in confrontations with soldiers between Feb. 9 and 13.

Overall, the UNJHRO has documented the killings of more than 280 individuals since July 2016 in the context of this violence.

"The DRC has long been afflicted by serious violence but amid a worrying escalation of violence in provinces considered relatively calm, I call again on the Government to redouble its efforts to tackle impunity that feeds further violence and human rights violations," said Zeid.

The UN official also called on the UN Human Rights Council and the international community to monitor the security situation in DRC, including any progresses made by the authorities in investigating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes. Endit