The recent tour of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo shed light on the harsh reality faced by Congolese affected by Rwandan aggression. Visiting the Bulengo displaced persons camp in Goma on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Türk was deeply moved by the suffering and instability experienced by these populations, who have been repeatedly displaced from their homes.
Reflecting on his prior visit in 2013 and the conversations he had then with the displaced individuals, Türk expressed his sadness at the ongoing plight of these internally displaced persons. He emphasized their strong desire for peace and a return to normalcy, urging an end to the conflicts and violence that continue to torment them. In the company of Bintou Keita, Head of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), the High Commissioner stressed the critical need to halt the violence and mobilize influential stakeholders to bring about change.
During his visit, Volker Türk criticized the lack of international attention to the security situation in the DRC, noting the relative disregard compared to other global conflicts. He underscored the urgency of addressing the tragedy faced by the Congolese population and called for united efforts to highlight human rights abuses and safeguard civilians, maintaining these as top priorities.
Moreover, Türk highlighted the issue of holding accountable those responsible for human rights violations, advocating for transitional justice and sanctions against rebels and their supporters, including Rwanda. He emphasized the importance of collaborative endeavors with all involved parties to ensure the safe, dignified, and rights-respecting return of the displaced population.
The Bulengo displaced persons camp, home to around 37,770 households in 506 blocks, encapsulates the stark reality of numerous Congolese displaced within their own country. Türk’s visit underscored the pressing need for collective action to alleviate the suffering of these vulnerable communities and facilitate their repatriation under humane and fair conditions.
In conclusion, the United Nations High Commissioner’s tour in North Kivu served to raise awareness of the dire situation of displaced people in the DRC and issued a call to the international community for immediate action to halt violence and safeguard the fundamental human rights of these vulnerable groups.