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Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)

Congo-Kinshasa: Rwandan Rebels Attack Human Rights Watch

29 July 2008

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Kigali — Rwandan rebels in DR Congo have dismissed accusations of civilian abuse made by Human Rights Watch instead inviting the campaign group to their jungle hideouts for a 'verification mission', RNA reports.

Human Right Watch said last week in a damning report that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda - FDLR - were being aided by the Congolese army. The campaign body also claimed the rebel outfit - with members blamed in Kigali for Genocide, was abusing civilians.

The rebels - for the first time - have hit back dismissing the categorization by Human Rights Watch that the top hierarchy are Genocide suspects. The FDLR was founded March 1 2000 and has nothing to do with the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, says the German-based rebel boss Dr. Ignace Murwanashyaka.

However, the DR Congo government is in possession of a list of up to 6900 individuals in the ranks of the FDLR that Rwanda says have Tutsi blood on their hands. A deal reached in Kenya by the two neighbours - commonly known as the Nairobi Communiqué - lays out a plan under which the rebels will either surrender or are forced out.

The rebels also dismiss the suggestion that they have working alliances with other Congolese militias - the mai mai and Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (PARECO).

Contrary to confirmed reports by FDLR combatants that have laid down their arms that the Congo army units had provided them with arms, the Dr. Murwanashyaka says the group has 'never received help of any nature' from the Congolese. Dr Murwanashyaka however, told the BBC great lakes service last year that former President Joseph Kabila provided them with arms.

Using the usual rhetoric of blaming all sorts of information accusing them on the authorities in Kigali, the rebels say Human Rights Watch is just acting out as member of the international 'lobby' group on behalf of Rwanda.

Meanwhile Rwanda for its part is up in arms singling out Human Rights Watch Africa Division expert Alison Des Forges as using the organization for her 'own ends'.

Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama said on state radio yesterday that Ms. Des Forges, - the lead research of the length report last week was using her selfish ends against government. Apparently on her recent trip in Kigali, as Minister Karugarama put it, she was not able to defend her positions on Rwanda instead saying she gets the information from other people.

The FDLR rebels also repeat the long held view that an independent investigation is conducted in the Kivu region of eastern DRC to determine the 'real authors' of the crimes that area.

The United Nations has documented some 200 ceasefire violations since January 23, the majority between the forces General Laurent Nkunda and a loose coalition of combatants from the Mai Mai Mongol, the PARECO, and the FDLR. This is contrary to a standing agreement to end hostilities - to which the Rwandan militias are not party.

Witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch reported that FDLR and PARECO combatants have attacked camps -more recently after United Nations' departure, killing at least one civilian and causing further displacement of the population.

The rights group documented fighting involving the Rwandan militias in Bukombo of the Rutshuru area as well as the localities of Kirumbu, Busoro and Busiye - all in Masisi. The rebels say they were not in anyway involved. (End)

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