Amnesty International has accused the army of Congo and M23 rebels of bombarding populated areas, likely constituting war crimes. The attacks killed over 100 civilians from January to July last year. Calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate this escalation come amidst significant fighting in eastern Congo, displacing over 237,000 people this year.
Prominent human rights organization Amnesty International has accused the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group of executing bombardments in densely populated areas, which could amount to war crimes. The accusation is based on a report detailing over 150 attacks using unguided rockets and explosives in eastern Congo from January to July of the previous year. These attacks resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians and left hundreds injured.
Amnesty International has urged the International Criminal Court to investigate these actions as potential war crimes. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, described this recent escalation in the use of explosive weapons as a dangerous development amidst an ongoing three-decade conflict marked by numerous violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
The organization’s report comes amid heightened violence between the Congolese armed forces and various rebel factions. As noted by the United Nations refugee agency, more than 237,000 individuals have been displaced due to the fighting since the start of the current year. The unrest exacerbates the humanitarian crisis affecting over 7 million displaced persons in eastern Congo.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has attracted international attention due to its severe humanitarian consequences and the involvement of numerous armed groups, including M23. This rebel group has been engaged in a power struggle in a mineral-rich region, leading to accusations of human rights abuses and humanitarian law violations. The tensions between Congo and Rwanda regarding M23’s support have further complicated the situation, creating instability and widespread displacement of the population.
In summary, the allegations of war crimes against the Congolese army and M23 by Amnesty International indicate a troubling trend of escalating violence in eastern Congo. The situation remains critical as fighting continues to displace thousands and exacerbate one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Calls for international investigation emphasize the need for accountability in a region marred by decades of conflict.
Original Source: apnews.com
