The United Nations has called for an “independent” investigation after a crackdown on an anti-UN protest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resulted in dozens of deaths.
The UN is actively engaging with the DRC authorities to ensure that the probe they have initiated is “independent, effective, and that measures are put in place to ensure that future demonstrations are policed in line with international human rights standards,” stated UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.
According to the UN, at least 43 people were killed, including a police officer, and 56 others were injured during the crackdown, although the actual toll may be higher.
An internal army document reported 48 deaths in addition to the slain police officer and 75 wounded individuals.
Shamdasani also expressed concern over the high risk of human rights violations in such a charged context.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in eastern DRC, which has been plagued by militia violence for several decades, and raises questions about the role and effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) in the region, which has faced criticism for its perceived passivity in preventing conflicts.