GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday deplored the impact on civilians of recent clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for concerted national and international efforts to de-escalate tensions.
There has been an increase in hostilities between the DRC armed forces and the Rwanda Defence Force-backed M23 armed group in South Kivu's Fizi and Mwenga territories over the last two weeks, with both sides using armed drones, heavy artillery and other explosive weapons in civilian-populated areas. Many civilians have been killed and others injured, and livestock and homes destroyed.
"It is deeply troubling that despite the agreements reached as part of the ongoing peace processes, fighting continues unabated in eastern DRC - killing, injuring and displacing civilians and destroying livelihoods," said Türk, following intense clashes around Mulima village in Fizi on 4 and 5 July.
"I urge the Congolese armed forces and the M23 to immediately step back from further violence and urgently act to de-escalate tensions. I also call on both parties to take meaningful steps to protect civilians in Mulima and the wider Fizi and Mwenga plateau region. The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas has devastating consequences and must stop," he said.
There are growing fears that the increasing fighting in the area could force further displacement of civilians, including into neighbouring countries, and cause more violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law, including unlawful killings and conflict-related sexual violence.
"Both parties to the conflict and their allies have clear obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure safe, rapid and unhindered access to humanitarian aid to all those in need," said the UN Human Rights Chief.
The High Commissioner urged Rwanda to cease its support for M23 and to withdraw its troops from the DRC. He also called on the Congolese authorities to scale up their ongoing efforts to demobilise, disarm and repatriate members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group.
Türk urged regional actors and the international community to act promptly and prevent further escalation of violence in South Kivu's high and middle plateau areas, building on ongoing political and diplomatic initiatives.
