Democratic Republic of Congo: UN should deploy a rapid reaction force in Ituri
(New York) Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International today jointly called on the U.N. Security Council to authorize
the deployment of a rapid reaction force to protect civilians in Ituri, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In an open letter to the Security Council today, the two human rights organizations called the situation in Ituri "a
critical test" of the Security Council's commitments to prevent mass killings and protect civilians, and noted that the
United Nations Observation Mission in Congo (MONUC) has been unable to adequately protect civilians. The Security
Council is currently discussing the characteristics and mandate of a possible force.
"In Ituri today, the elements of a devastating crisis are clearly present," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of
Amnesty International.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said that thousands of civilians continue to be at risk as opposing Hema
and Lendu ethnic militia groups remain fully armed and ready to attack again. Tens of thousands of other civilians are
believed to have fled Bunia, and their condition is unknown.
The two organizations stressed that any military action should be undertaken with full respect for international human
rights and humanitarian law. They emphasized that the rapid reaction force should have a robust mandate to ensure the
maintenance of law and order and to protect civilians in Bunia, to locate and protect those civilians who have fled
outside the town, and to ensure that humanitarian assistance can reach civilian populations in need.
Given the urgency of the situation, the two human rights organizations urged that a rapid reaction force be deployed
immediately in the Ituri region, pending an agreement by the Security Council on the expansion and strengthening of
MONUC's mandate, and the respective deployment of its reinforced troops.
The organizations are following up their appeal to the Security Council with appeals to specific countries to support
Security Council action along the lines suggested and to contribute troops to an UN-authorized force.
"Thousands of civilians have already died in this conflict," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights
Watch. "Only rapid U.N. action can head off continued killings."
At least 5,000 people died from direct violence in Ituri between July 2002 and March 2003. These victims are in addition
to the 50,000 civilians that, according to United Nations estimates, have died there since 1999.
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