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UN report finds that M23 Congolese forces could have committed war crimes against the Congolese people.

According to the U.N. Human Rights Office, M23, a rebel group backed by Rwanda, Congolese forces, and other armed organizations have committed grave rights violations, including some that may be considered war crimes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new report from the U.N. Human Rights Office Fact-Finding Mission stated that M23, Congolese forces, and other groups were responsible for gross violations to international humanitarian law ever since fighting broke out in North and South Kivu late last year.

In a press release, U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk called for accountability for the victims.

There was no immediate comment from the governments of Rwanda and Congo or Wazalendo, the pro-government militia fighters.

Bertrand Bisimwa, the leader of M23, said the U.N. allegations were untrue and a sham attempt to sway public opinion. M23 has denied allegations that it committed atrocities in the past.

M23 captured Goma in eastern Congo, the largest city. They then made gains throughout North Kivu, and South Kivu. This year's fighting has caused thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displacements, and increased the threat of a full-blown conflict in an area rich in tin and gold.

The United Nations has been accusing parties to the Congo conflict for gross atrocities. This is the first report that finds these abuses could have been crimes against humanity or war crimes.

The report revealed that the ethnic Tutsi led M23 committed summary executions, torture and enforced disappearedances. These may constitute crimes against humanity as well as war crime, including the taking of captives and wilful murder.

SYSTEMATIC Sexual Violence

The report also stated that the group used systematic sexual violence against women, including gang-rapes, in an effort to "degrade and punish victims, as well as break their dignity."

The report stated that M23 received operational and training support from the Rwandan Defense Forces. There were also credible allegations about the presence of RDF personnel in M23.

Rwanda has denied supporting M23, and its forces are acting in self-defence to defend themselves against the Congolese army and ethnic Hutu armed militiamen who were linked to Rwanda's 1994 genocide.

The report found that DRC forces and groups affiliated with them, like the Wazalendo armed group, committed grave violations including gang rapes, killings of civilians and looting.

The report examined whether the repeated rapes committed by certain Congolese armed groups in January and Febraury amounted crimes against humanity. However, it was unable to determine if this behavior was part of a state policy.

The report said that some Wazalendo leaders and members may have committed a war crime by conscripting and enlisting underage children and using them to fight.

The chief spokesperson of the Office of the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), Ravina Shamdasani told reporters at a press conference in Geneva that the report would make it clear how important it is to ensure accountability and justice.

The OHCHR called for adequate funding so that a Commission of Inquiry, which was halted due to lack of funds, could proceed.

After Qatar's mediation, Congo and rebels signed on 19 July a Declaration of Principles in which they pledged to begin negotiations for a peace agreement in August. The two sides did not meet the deadline. Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Additional reporting by Congo Newsroom; Editing and production by Rob Corey-Boulet, Sharon Singleton.

(source: Reuters)