HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT MOUNTING TENSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

8 December 2004


The following statement was jointly issued by the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Titinga Frederic Pacere; the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Yakin Erturk; and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Doudou Diene:


The Independent Expert and the Special Rapporteurs express their deep concern about the mounting tension in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about information on the presence of Rwandese troops in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Independent Expert and the Special Rapporteurs are especially worried concerning reports about serious violations against the civilian population and humanitarian staff present in the area, about a possible explosion of the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about renewed inter-ethnic hatred and xenophobia in North Kivu, South Kivu and the rest of the country, and about the threat against peace in the whole Great Lakes region, including the threat against the rights, security and physical integrity of the population.

The Independent Expert and the Special Rapporteurs urge all the parities concerned to abstain from the use of force and weapons, to put an end to violations of human rights and humanitarian rights, especially war crimes and crimes against humanity like sexual violations against the civilian population, to prevent any further violations of the security and integrity of persons, and to help re-establish security in the region.

The Independent Expert and the Special Rapporteurs especially urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all the parties concerned and the international community to take all necessary measures so that the dialogue and the transitional process which are taking place in the country can be continued.


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