UN opens probe into Congo atrocities

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The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has opened an investigation into killings and other atrocities in the restive Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 47-member body unanimously adopted a resolution brought forward by African countries, which also called on the government of President Joseph Kabila to cooperate with the team of international experts.

Fighting between security forces and armed members of an insurgent group erupted in August last year in Kasai.

The United Nations has documented at least 40 mass grave sites since the unrest unfolded.

Returned persons from Kasala village, Kasai Province, awaiting food distribution. /UN Photo

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, who will name the experts to be tasked with the mission, has repeatedly called for an inquiry into the events in Kasai.

Zeid has told the Council that a militia linked to the government has committed a string of ethnically-motivated attacks in recent months, including cutting off toddlers’ limbs and stabbing pregnant women.

“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,” Zeid said in a statement.

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

(With inputs from Reuters)

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