Amnesty International demands an end to the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas of the DRC, urging investigations into war crimes. Over 150 attacks by the M23 group and the Congolese Army have caused significant civilian casualties. The organization emphasizes compliance with international humanitarian law and accountability from international allies supporting military efforts in the region, amidst ongoing humanitarian crises exacerbated by conflict.
Amnesty International has urgently called for a cessation of the use of explosive weapons in densely populated regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The organization has also urged the International Criminal Court to investigate these attacks as potential war crimes, citing over 150 instances involving unguided rocket systems perpetrated by both the Rwandan-backed M23 group and the Congolese Army (FARDC) between January and July 2024, resulting in more than 100 casualties. Many of these assaults occurred near internally displaced persons (IDP) camps without evident military targets.
The organization emphasizes that the conflicting parties must adhere to international humanitarian law (IHL), which explicitly bans any actions that indiscriminately or disproportionately harm civilians. According to Article 48 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, warring parties are mandated to differentiate between civilian and combatant entities in their military operations. Furthermore, Article 51 prohibits indiscriminate attacks that do not target defined military objectives.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated that without accountability, the violations of human rights and humanitarian laws will persist in eastern DRC, where a long-standing history of conflict continues to jeopardize civilian lives. Amnesty has also requested that the international community, particularly those engaged in military cooperation with DRC and Rwanda, enhance their efforts to ensure that military support does not lead to violations of human rights and IHL.
In a related context, Human Rights Watch has reported that military clashes between Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group have exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, showcasing unlawful acts of violence, such as killings and sexual assaults by M23 fighters. However, the government of Rwanda has rebuffed similar allegations made by the U.S. Department of State, even as internally displaced persons in the region have reached approximately 6.1 million.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in conflict for several decades, primarily fueled by ethnic tensions and competition over resources. The rise of various armed groups, including the M23 rebels, has led to ongoing violence, significantly impacting civilian populations. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has raised international concerns regarding human rights violations, prompting organizations such as Amnesty International to advocate for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law. The involvement of foreign entities, particularly Rwanda, complicates the situation and raises further questions about military cooperation and its implications for human rights in the region.
Amnesty International’s call to end the use of explosive weapons in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the humanitarian crisis and the dire need for adherence to international humanitarian law. With evidence of significant civilian casualties and violations by both the M23 rebels and the Congolese Army, the organization advocates for accountability from the international community to prevent further suffering. The ongoing conflict demands urgent attention to protect vulnerable populations and uphold human rights standards in war-torn areas.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
