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U.N. Chief Condemns Expulsion of Human Rights Director from DRC

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 2014 (IPS) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the decision of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to expel the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), Scott Campbell from the country.

Campbell was given 48 hours notice to leave the DRC last Thursday, one day after his office released a report detailing human rights violations by Congolese security forces that took place between November 2013 and February 2014 in Operation “Likofi”. Campbell departed on Friday 17 October.

The UNJHRO said the report detailed serious violations of human rights, including summary and extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, committed against civilians.

UNJHRO researchers found that at least nine civilians had been killed and that there had been at least 32 enforced disappearances of civilians at the hands of the Congolese national Police (PNC), however the office said that the actual numbers could be much higher.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Secretary-General expressed his full confidence in Campbell: “The Congolese people have suffered grave human rights violations, which the Joint Office has, over the years, helped to document as it seeks to promote and protect their rights, while strengthening justice and accountability”, he said.

“Respect for human rights is absolutely essential for long-term peace and stability in the DRC,” Ban added.

Human Rights Watch 2014 World Report describes how serious human rights violations have continued in the DRC.

“Armed conflict continued in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Congolese security forces and non-state armed groups responsible for serious abuses against civilians.”

“In Kinshasa and elsewhere, government authorities have sought to silence dissent with threats, violence, and arbitrary arrests against human rights activists, journalists, and opposition political party leaders and supporters who were critical of government officials or participated in anti-government demonstrations”, the report said.

 
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