UN investigating rapes in DRC unrest
2012-12-07 09:42
New York - The United Nations is investigating allegations
of rapes and other abuses by Democratic Republic of Congo troops as they pulled
back from advancing rebels, the UN spokesperson said on Thursday.
The investigation comes amid claims that dozens of women
were raped by government forces in the town of Minova in eastern DRC last
month.
The Armed Forces of the DRC, known as the FARDC, already
faces criticism for the way it collapsed in the face of an advance by rebels
from the M23 group which has also been accused of widespread abuses.
The UN mission in the DRC "is investigating reports of
violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws alleged to have
been committed by FARDC units during operations against the M23 rebel group and
has raised concerns with the senior leadership of the FARDC," UN spokesperson
Martin Nesirky said.
Corrective measures
"If allegations are substantiated they are brought to
the attention of the DRC government with requests to take corrective measures
to prevent the recurrence of such violations and to hold perpetrators
accountable," he added.
"Support is suspended or withdrawn if corrective action
is not taken in due time," Nesirky said.
The United Nations said on Wednesday that about 70 rapes had
been reported in the Minova area by UN investigators, but it has not said who
carried out the attacks.
Widespread looting and attacks on civilians were reported by
rights groups and other sources when government forces occupied the town for
three days in late November. Minova is near the North Kivu provincial capital
of Goma and the army withdrew there after losing Goma to the M23.
The M23, which is alleged to receive backing from Rwanda, launched
an uprising in April. Last month the rebels ended a relative calm and routed
government troops as they took Goma, before withdrawing under an East African
brokered ceasefire.
Tensions remain high in the war-blighted region, and both
government soldiers and rebels have been accused of civilian killings, rape and
looting during the unrest.
- SAPA
