UN Expresses Concerns Over M23 Rebel Attacks on Hospitals in DRC
The UN Human Rights Office has voiced serious concerns regarding recent attacks on hospitals by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The Jurist reported. On February 28, M23 rebels raided CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital in Goma, abducting 131 patients accused of being soldiers or members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, condemned the coordinated raids, highlighting the distressing nature of snatching patients from their beds and holding them incommunicado. She called for the immediate release of all abducted individuals and urged an end to such arbitrary actions.
The situation in the DRC has worsened since M23 captured Goma and Bukavu in January, leading to increased civilian casualties and displacement. Despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by M23 on February 4 for humanitarian reasons, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 500,000 internally displaced persons and an anticipated influx of 258,000 refugees to neighboring countries.
International humanitarian law mandates the protection of health facilities and personnel during armed conflict. Violations, including attacks on medical establishments, can constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has initiated a fact-finding mission to investigate rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in the region.
