Nobel Peace Prize 2010
septembre 27, 2017A survivor tells…
septembre 27, 2017United Nations releases report on crimes committed between 1993 and 2003
After more than a decade of conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) needs a judicial reform to judge the crimes perpetrated between 1993 and 2003, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on the occasion of the publication of a report identifying the most serious human rights violations in that country during this period.
« The report deals with the DRC. Yes, it refers to the presence of foreign forces who have been involved in the conflict in the DRC, and takes stock of the responsibility of these forces for human rights violations. This suggests that other countries have a role to play in implementing a transitional justice process in the DRC, « Navi Pillay said.
« Having said that, it is still mainly a report on the DRC, the immense suffering of this country, and the capacity of the judiciary to respond to these crimes, » she added. The report of 550 pages lists 617 most serious crimes violating human rights and international humanitarian law. The genesis of the project dates back to 2005 when, two years after the national peace agreement, three large mass graves were discovered in the east of the country. Several UN bodies agreed to launch the mapping exercise of these crimes in 2006. This work was carried out by the Office of the OHCHR to « end the cycle of impunity in the DRC, » said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in a press release.
Thirty-three teams of experts traveled the country to interview more than 1,280 witnesses and examine more than 1,500 documents to corroborate the information. The report states that at least 21 armed groups were involved in these crimes as well as the national armies of eight countries.
« The violence in the DRC was, in fact, accompanied by an apparent systematic use of rape and sexual assault by all fighting forces, » the report said. Experts estimate that 30,000 children were recruited or used by armed forces or groups during the conflict. They have been subjected to « indescribable violence » such as rape, torture, degrading and inhuman treatment, deprivation of their rights, forced labor and murder. « If this situation continues, there is a risk that a new generation that has known nothing more than violence will emerge, which undermines the country’s chances of achieving lasting peace, » the experts said.
Solutions
One of the main solutions would be the establishment of mixed courts, which would involve « hybrid courts » with national and international staff. The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the implementation of a reparations program for victims and reforms of the judiciary and Congolese security forces are the other policies recommended in the report.
Navi Pillay, referring to the polemic surrounding the publication of the report because of the leaks of the draft version published in the French daily Le Monde, said that this had led to an « intense focus on one aspect » of the report. The fact that the Rwandan armed forces had committed acts that could constitute crimes of genocide « can only be resolved by a competent court », she stressed.
The High Commissioner stated that the report was not « a judicial inquiry » and that it did not establish « individual criminal responsibility ». It also stated that the report was published simultaneously with the comments of the countries mentioned in the report.
« Several States have raised issues that are serious concerns for them, and the United Nations will maintain a dialogue to resolve them mutually. It is very important to clearly establish the relevant facts and to ensure that, through joint efforts, the situations described in the report never happen again, « said the OHCHR leader.
For a lasting peace
« Through this enterprise we are making a vigorous effort to contribute to the establishment of a lasting peace and stability in the DRC in order to avoid future violations », concluded Navi Pillay. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, on September 8, made a flash visit to Rwanda, notably to discuss the contents of the report with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who expressed concerns about the document.
On 26 September, on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly, the two men met again in New York. At the end of the meeting, Ban Ki-moon expressed his satisfaction that Rwanda would continue to play an important role in UN peacekeeping operations, particularly in the Sudanese region of Darfur , torn by the civil war.
UN News Center *
Subtitles are from the editorial staff
