Three mass graves have been discovered in central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where
hundreds have been killed since July in clashes between security forces and a local militia, the
top United Nations (UN) rights official said on Wednesday.
Reuters says that at least 400 people have died and 200,000 have been displaced since the
fighting broke out with the Kamuina Nsapu militia. Police killed its leader, Kamuina Nsapu, last
August, causing the violence to swiftly escalate.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein urged the UN human rights council in
Geneva to set up an inquiry “in light of recurrent reports of grave violations and the recent
discovery of three more mass graves”.
Zeid gave no additional details about the graves during his remarks to the council, which touched
on the human rights situations in dozens of countries. The UN rights office in Congo could not
immediately provide further details.
Congo’s human rights minister told Reuters she was not able to immediately comment on Zeid’s
remarks.
Congo’s government has said it is investigating allegations of rights abuses, including a video
last month that appeared to show Congolese troops massacring militia members. However, it has
dismissed offers of support from the UN rights office in Congo, which it accuses of bias.
Last month, Zeid said there were credible allegations of “massive human rights violations” in
central Congo, including of people being targeted by soldiers for their alleged affiliation with
Kamuina Nsapu.
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