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DR of Congo: UN reports human rights violations in Kisangani disturbances

DR of Congo: UN reports human rights violations in Kisangani disturbances

Leaders of the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), which exercises de facto control in Kisangani, committed grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during an uprising in the city last week, according to a preliminary report issued today by the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

Some 50 people were killed during the disturbances, MONUC says in its report, which covers the events that took place in Kisangani from 14 to 21 May. The victims included men, women and children; some of the bodies found by UN personnel had been mutilated.

The incident began with the takeover by armed men of a local radio station, which was then used to broadcast calls to the local population to take up arms against ethnic Rwandans in Kisangani, MONUC says.

Once security troops loyal to the RCD had regained control of the station, RCD officials warned people in public broadcasts to stay at home and clearly threatened anyone who would not follow the instructions.