Democratic Republic of Congo

ICC Hearing against Former Vice-President of DR Congo Jean-Pierre Bemba

Jan 7, 2009

As a rebel leader during the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) war from 1998 to 2003, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo and his group, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), controlled a large part of northeastern Congo, with support from Uganda.
Cries for Help From Congo’s War Victims

Dec 4, 2008

In late August 2008, the Congolese army (FARDC) and the rebel group, the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), resumed heavy fighting in the most recent episode of more than a decade of war in eastern Congo. The Congolese army was sometimes aided by Congolese militia known as Mai Mai and PARECO, as well as by a Rwandan armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), some of whose leaders participated in the 1994 genocide.

Reports

Killings in Kiwanja

The UN’s Inability to Protect Civilians
"We Will Crush You"

The Restriction of Political Space in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Renewed Crisis in North Kivu

Democratic Republic of Congo

ICC Hearing against Former Vice-President of DR Congo Jean-Pierre Bemba

Jan 7, 2009

As a rebel leader during the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) war from 1998 to 2003, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo and his group, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), controlled a large part of northeastern Congo, with support from Uganda.
Congolese Rebel Leader Who Recruited Child Soldiers Will Face Trial

Dec 22, 2008

The International Criminal Court decided in November to lift the suspension of the trial of the rebel leader Thomas Lubanga, who is accused of enlisting and conscripting children as soldiers and using them to participate actively in the conflict in the Ituri region in northeastern Congo.
DR Congo: Protect Children From Rape and Recruitment

Dec 16, 2008

The UN Security Council should respond to escalating violations against children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including the recruitment of child soldiers and sexual violence.
UN Security Council: Adopt Strong Presidential Statement on LRA

Dec 16, 2008

Amid reports that the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is again brutalizing civilians and in advance of the anticipated December 17 Security Council briefing by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for the LRA-affected areas, we write to urge your government to take steps toward helping to end LRA abuses and paving the way for apprehension of LRA leaders wanted by the International Criminal Court.
African Great Lakes: Protect Civilians While Pursuing Rebels

Dec 16, 2008

As a regional attack on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) unfolds, all parties should respect international humanitarian law and LRA leaders accused of war crimes who surrender or are captured should be brought to trial.
Killings in Kiwanja

The UN’s Inability to Protect Civilians

Dec 11, 2008
DR Congo: EU ‘Bridging’ Force Needed to Protect Civilians

Dec 11, 2008

The European Union should urgently send a “bridging” force to eastern Congo to help UN peacekeepers stop further attacks on civilians.
US Limits Military Aid to Nations Using Child Soldiers

Dec 11, 2008

Under legislation adopted by the US Congress on December 10, 2008, governments involved in the use of children as soldiers may no longer be eligible for US military assistance. The legislation, passed unanimously by both the Senate and the House, could affect six countries currently receiving US military training, financing, and other defense-related assistance: Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Uganda.
Letter to UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict Regarding the DRC

Dec 10, 2008

Human Rights Watch writes to the Working Group as it considers the Secretary-General's new report on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, providing additional information and recommendations regarding violations against children that have accompanied the recent escalation of conflict in the Eastern DRC.
European Union: Urgently Deploy a "Bridging" Force to North Kivu in the eastern DRC

Dec 9, 2008

We write to urge that you and your colleagues from other European Union member states use this week's EU Summit to urgently heed the call from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and decide to deploy an EU "bridging" force to North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.