UN human rights office says attacks on Democratic Republic of Congo villagers in 2018 could amount to crimes against humanity
Country's provincial authorities chided for failing to prevent intercommunal violence, which led to killings of hundreds of peopleThe UN on Tuesday criticised authorities in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo for failing to prevent a massacre of hundreds of people last December, despite clear signs of rising tensions.
The UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC deployed investigators after receiving “credible reports” that nearly 900 people had been killed in clashes between the Banunu and Batende communities. More than 50 mass graves have been identified in the area, but spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters that many bodies were believed to have been thrown in the Congo River.
The violence had been facilitated by the absence of state action to prevent it, despite “clear signs of rising tensions and increased risk of violence”, the UN said. They were “characterised by extreme violence and speed, leaving little time for people to escape”, Shamdasani said, adding that Batende villagers equipped with firearms, machetes, bows and arrows and petrol had targeted Banunu villagers.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN warns of new waves of violence in DRCThe final assessment of the probe says the violence may amount to crimes against humanity.
Read more »
SA soldiers in DRC only disturb people who don’t want peace – SA ambassadorCongolese went to the polls on December 30 in the third democratic election for the country since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960.
Read more »
Two main DRC parties urge leaders to form coalition government | News | Africa | M>he parties of the DRC's new president, Felix Tshisekedi, and his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, have urged the two leaders to form a coalition government after weeks of failed talks.
Read more »
Attack on DR Congo Ebola centre leaves one dead - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.Armed men attacked an Ebola treatment centre in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) again on Saturday, killing a policeman and wounding a health worker, the authorities said.
Read more »
UN demands justice for 535 people killed in Congo massacre | IOL NewsThe people behind a massacre that left at least 535 villagers dead in Congo in December must be brought to justice, UN rights ...
Read more »
US urges UN to bring back restrictions on Iran over missilesThe United States on Thursday accused Iran of carrying out three missile-related launches in defiance of UN resolutions and urged the Security Council to 'bring back tougher international restrictions' against Tehran.
Read more »
Saudi Arabia rebuked at UN rights forum over jailings and Khashoggi probeAction by EU, Canada and Australia follows growing international concern about country’s violations of basic freedoms
Read more »
UN: North Korea food production 'lowest for a decade’North Korea recorded its worst harvest for more than a decade last year, resulting in a significant food gap. As a result, 10.9-million people in the North needed humanitarian assistance — equivalent to 43% of the population.
Read more »
UN warns of worst food harvest in North Korea in a decadeNatural disasters and international sanctions have left about 3.8-million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance
Read more »