Amnesty International has called for an immediate stop to explosive weapon use in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s populated areas, urging the International Criminal Court to investigate these actions as war crimes. The organization reported extensive use of unguided weapons causing civilian fatalities, stressing adherence to international humanitarian law. Secretary-General Agnès Callamard emphasized that lack of accountability for human rights violations persists without proper measures from the international community.
Amnesty International has urged for the cessation of explosive weapons use in densely populated regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a statement released on Sunday. The organization also called on the International Criminal Court to consider investigating these attacks as potential war crimes.
The organization claims that both the Rwandan-backed M23 group and the Congolese Army (FARDC) have utilized “inaccurate explosive weapons”—primarily unguided rocket systems—more than 150 times between January and July 2024, resulting in over 100 fatalities. Many attacks targeted areas near internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, with no evidence of military targets in proximity.
Amnesty has reiterated the necessity for all parties involved to abide by international humanitarian law (IHL), which prohibits attacks that are indiscriminate or disproportionately harm civilians. Article 48 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions emphasizes the obligation of conflict parties to differentiate between civilians and combatants, directing operations solely against military objectives.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, stated, “As the long history of conflict in eastern DRC has shown us, without accountability, human rights and humanitarian law violations will continue.” The organization appealed to the international community, including military allies of the DRC and Rwanda, to ensure that their military assistance does not exacerbate human rights violations.
Human Rights Watch similarly reported that military engagements between Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group have intensified the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, highlighting unlawful killings and rapes committed by M23 fighters in June 2023. Despite these allegations, Rwanda has denied the accusations raised by the US Department of State, which noted a concerning rise in internally displaced people to 6.1 million by May 2024.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in conflict for an extended period, with various armed groups engaging in violence, often resulting in civilian casualties. The call from Amnesty International to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas reflects a wider concern for human rights and the protection of civilians. The prevalence of military confrontations, especially involving groups like the M23 and the Congolese Army, exacerbates the humanitarian situation, making it critical to understand the implications of such warfare on civilian communities.
In summary, Amnesty International’s urgent plea to cease the use of explosive weapons in populated areas of the DRC highlights the severe humanitarian impacts of such actions. The organization’s call for accountability from both local and international stakeholders underlines the necessity of upholding humanitarian laws to protect civilians. The ongoing conflict, marked by significant violations against human rights, necessitates immediate attention and remedial action from the international community.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
