Amnesty Accuses M23 Rebels of War Crimes in Congo

Dakar (Senegal), May 27 (AP) Human rights organization Amnesty International has leveled serious accusations against the M23 rebels in eastern Congo, alleging that they have engaged in killing, torture, and enforced disappearances of civilian detainees in two cities under rebel control. “These actions violate international humanitarian law and may be considered war crimes,” stated Amnesty in a released statement.

The enduring conflict in eastern Congo saw an escalation beginning this January when M23, which is supported by Rwanda, advanced and took over the strategically significant city of Goma in North Kivu province, followed by the capture of Bukavu in February.

Amnesty International reported that between February and April, they interviewed 18 civilians who had been detained by M23 in both Goma and Bukavu, after being accused of supporting the Congolese army or government. The detainees shared that no evidence was presented by the rebels to back these accusations, and several were left uninformed about the reasons for their detention.

These detainees were confined in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, lacking sufficient food, water, sanitation facilities, or healthcare, as highlighted by the human rights group. Several former detainees recounted witnessing fellow captives succumb to the severe conditions or to torture.

Some recounted witnessing M23 fighters use hammers to kill two detainees and shooting another, who died immediately. All those interviewed by Amnesty documented experiences of torture or witnessing torture, describing brutal beatings with wooden rods, electric cables, or engine belts.

M23 fighters frequently denied relatives access to the detention facilities or feigned ignorance of their presence, according to Amnesty, which equates to enforced disappearances.

Among approximately 100 armed factions striving for a foothold in mineral-abundant eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border, M23's actions have contributed to a humanitarian crisis of immense magnitude. Over 7 million individuals have been displaced, including 100,000 who have fled this year alone.

The rebels are reportedly reinforced by around 4,000 troops from nearby Rwanda, according to UN experts, and have occasionally threatened a march towards Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, some 1,600 kilometers to the east.

Despite an agreement between Congo's government and M23 to pursue a truce last month, hostilities persist between the two factions. (AP) RHL

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