Human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are still rampant in the war-wracked east of the country.
That’s the worrying finding of a new report from UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which said on Monday that children have been killed, abducted, sexually abused and exploited by armed groups in North Kivu province.
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During May, the agency recorded 164 alerts involving children; almost 90 per cent took place in combat zones, including Goma-Nyiragongo.
Clashes intensify
UNHCR noted that an intensification of clashes in Masisi and Rutshuru, along with attacks against civilians in Beni, have forced more than 250,000 people from their homes and shelters.
Those displaced and returning to their homes are the most common victims of rights abuses, with Masisi, Beni and Rutshuru territories the worst affected.
The UN agency said that the increase in abuses since April was likely attributable to fighting between the M23 armed group and rival Allied Democratic Forces in southeast Masisi and northern Rutshuru.
Since 27 May, the UN Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) has conducted more than 50 patrols to protect civilians in addition to securing routes from Kilambo, Mirangui, Kanyabayonga, Kania and Kirumba towards camps for the displaced. (UN)
