HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS STRESS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

21 August 1998



The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Sergio Vieira De Mello, wish to stress the Secretary-General's strong concern over the worsening humanitarian and human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since the beginning of the conflict earlier this month, the international community has been receiving alarming reports of arbitrary executions, torture, harassment and detention of civilians based on their ethnic origin. Allegations of human rights abuses committed by Government and armed opposition forces continue to flow out of the country.

Another source of great concern are the indications that sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers by both sides have become a feature of the conflict. Meanwhile, reports of hate propaganda being broadcast over the mass media are sadly reminiscent of other tragic events of the recent past in the region.

It is of concern that the humanitarian situation on the ground is steadily deteriorating, in particular in Kinshasa where electricity and water supplies have been disrupted sporadically over recent days.

According to Government sources, this situation has led to a collapse of already weakened health, sanitation and medical services, contributing to an increased mortality rate amongst people hospitalised and the general civilian population. The United Nations and its agencies call on those who instigated these acts to immediately restore all vital basic services, in particular power supply and drinking-water to the capital, and to refrain from wilfully endangering the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children.

On behalf of the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs call on all parties to respect the human rights and dignity of all civilians, regardless of ethnic or national origin. The parties have a responsibility to protect all non-combatants - they must uphold the standards and principles of international humanitarian law and allow relief personnel access to vulnerable groups and other categories of persons in need. United Nations and other humanitarian workers must also be able to work freely and in safety.

In the context above, the Secretary-General hopes that dialogue will prevail and that further bloodshed and suffering will be avoided.