Amnesty International has called for an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing over 150 attacks causing significant civilian casualties. The organization urges adherence to international humanitarian law and accountability for violations. Reports highlight worsening humanitarian conditions amidst ongoing military confrontations involving Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group.
Amnesty International has urged the cessation of explosive weapon usage in densely populated areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They emphasize the need for the International Criminal Court to investigate these attacks as potential war crimes. Between January and July 2024, both the Rwandan-backed M23 group and the Congolese Army (FARDC) reportedly engaged in over 150 strikes, resulting in more than 100 fatalities, often targeting areas close to internally displaced persons camps.
The organization called for all conflicting parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits actions that harm non-combatants indiscriminately. According to Article 48 of the 1977 Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions, parties must distinguish between civilian populations and combatants. Additionally, Article 51 prohibits indiscriminate attacks that fail to adequately target military objectives.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated that without accountability, historical patterns of human rights violations will persist in the eastern DRC. Amnesty further urged the international community, particularly nations engaged in military cooperation with DRC and Rwanda, to ensure that their support does not facilitate human rights or IHL violations.
Correspondingly, Human Rights Watch has reported that the clashes between Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Their September 2024 report detailed unlawful killings and sexual assaults by M23 fighters in June 2023. Rwanda, however, has denied similar allegations made by the US Department of State amidst a rising number of internally displaced persons, which reached 6.1 million.
The call from Amnesty International to end the use of explosive weapons in the DRC highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by armed conflicts. The usage of unguided explosive weaponry by both the M23 group and the Congolese Army has resulted in significant civilian casualties, particularly near IDP camps. This situation raises serious questions regarding compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of non-combatants in armed conflicts. Rwanda’s military involvement and the ongoing skirmishes with rebel groups further complicate the situation, sparking various allegations of human rights violations. The international community’s role is increasingly scrutinized, especially regarding military support that may inadvertently contribute to these breaches. Given the long-standing conflicts in eastern DRC, accountability measures are essential to prevent further violations.
In conclusion, Amnesty International’s pressing call to eliminate the use of explosive weapons in populated regions of the DRC highlights critical violations of humanitarian law and the need for accountability. The dire humanitarian implications of ongoing conflicts are further emphasized by reports from multiple organizations. Collaborative efforts from the international community are essential to ensure military support does not exacerbate human rights infringements or humanitarian crises in the region.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
