SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WELCOMES ARRIVAL OF PEACE FORCE IN BUNIA

11 June 2003




The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iulia Motoc, has welcomed the arrival in Bunia of the first members of the multinational peace force which was authorized by Security Council resolution 1484 (2003).
The Special Rapporteur remained concerned about the fate of the civilian population, especially women and children, in the whole district of Ituri as well as in neighbouring areas in the north and south of Kivu, as well as the dramatic humanitarian situation which the civilians found themselves in.
A lot of information concerning massive violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and even acts of genocide had been brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur. Ms. Motoc said that investigations would be undertaken to determine the authors of these serious crimes and to bring them to justice.
The Special Rapporteur hoped to visit Ituri herself to investigate the allegations of human rights violations against the civilian population. She reiterated her call to the ethnic Hema and Lendu groups and their allies to end the conflict and to stop instigating ethnic hatred. She urged them to cooperate with the United Nations and the multinational force. The only viable solution for this problem could not be reached by crimes or fighting, but by a political dialogue and respect for human rights, she said.



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