SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEMOCRATIC REPULIC OF CONGO CONDEMNS RECENT INCIDENTS IN BUNIA

22 September 2003


The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iulia Motoc, has condemned recent incidents in Bunia, Ituri, during which fighters of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) fired shots at military observers of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) who are carrying out a disarmament operation in the area.
The Special Rapporteur once again called on the armed militias and the ethnic communities in Ituri to end the fighting which has caused thousands of civilian victims, especially women and children, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations. She reiterated that there will be no impunity for those who are found guilty of the massive violations of human rights which were committed in Ituri.
Ms. Motoc congratulated MONUC for using all necessary means to accomplish its mandate, which includes the disarmament and demobilization of armed groups.
The Special Rapporteur asked the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to accelerate the implementation of measures to restore the judicial system in Ituri. According to the Special Rapporteur “the absence of a court of justice and of appropriate detention areas does not facilitate the return of peace and security in Ituri”.