UN opens investigations into extra-judicial killings in Congo

An investigation into extra-judicial killings and other atrocities committed in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been opened by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Reports say a 47-member Geneva forum adopted by consensus is demanding that the government of President Joseph Kabila to cooperate with the team of international experts.

“We fully support the establishment of an international investigation by the Human Rights Council as a step forward in identifying the perpetrators of gross violations and bringing them to justice,” U.N. rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said in a statement.

Continuing, Zeid who had repeatedly called for the inquiry into events in Kasai, an opposition stronghold, said his office counted on the “full cooperation” of the government and on the experts having unfettered access to all sites, files, people and places.

Read also: CAR: 600 Congo peacekeepers accused of sex abuse asked to leave

“The team will conduct investigations in a fully independent manner, in accordance with international standards, as mandated by the Council,” he declared.

Recall that three days ago, The UN revealed that no less than 600 Congo peacekeepers accused of sexual abuse have been asked to leave the Central African Republic with immediate effect.

According to a statement by the United Nations, the government of Dennis Sassou Nguesso “decided to withdraw” the troops deployed in the MINUSCA mission after the commander complained of their misconduct.

 

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