Ban’s discussions with Rwandan leader on UN rights report to continue

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today that he will continue discussions with Rwanda’s President on a soon-to-be released United Nations report on serious human rights violations committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Mr. Ban wrapped up a two-day visit to Kigali yesterday, during which he met with President Paul Kagame, Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and other senior officials to discuss Rwanda’s concerns over the report.

Prepared by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the mapping report is scheduled to be released on 1 October and will describe more than 600 incidents in the DRC during the period between 1993 and 2003, in which tens of thousands of people were killed.

Covering not only the war-torn east but the entire territory of the DRC, it has the overarching objective of helping the Congolese Government to establish transitional judicial systems and fight against impunity.

“We discussed the matter in great detail,” the Secretary-General told reporters in New York today about his talks with Rwandan officials.

“I listened very carefully to their concerns,” he added. “I fully understand and appreciate the depth of their feelings on this matter.”

Mr. Ban said that dialogue with Mr. Kagame will continue next week when he visits New York, where the Rwandan leader will co-chair a meeting of the high-level Advocacy Group to spur action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight globally-agreed upon anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.

The Group includes well-known figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureates Muhammad Yunus and Wangari Maathai, as well as former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates.

The Secretary-General said today that he encouraged Mr. Kagame and the Rwandan Government, as well as all concerned countries, to submit their comments on the report by the end of this month, as requested by High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

The comments will be released together with the final version of the report.

While in Kigali, “I also strongly praised Rwanda’s commitment to the United Nations and in particular its role in peacekeeping operations,” Mr. Ban said.

“Rwandan forces are well trained and continue to make important contributions to peace and security in the region,” he stressed. “Many Rwandan soldiers have given their lives while serving the cause of peace, and I honour their memory.”

The country’s contribution to peacekeeping is especially important in light of the two referenda set to be held in Sudan at the start of next year.

“We need to do more to protect the civilian population – not least women and children,” the Secretary-General said, noting that he and Mr. Kagame are in agreement that it is very important for Rwanda to continue its role in peacekeeping operations.