No to impunity in the DRC
Demand justice
for human rights violations
in DRC between 1993 and 2003.

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Objective: Effective implementation of the recommendations made in the Report of the Mapping Exercise documenting the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed within the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 1993 and 2003.

For the attention of the United Nations Secretary-General in New York

Copies:

Dear Secretary-General,

On the eve of the tenth anniversary on 1 October 2020 of the publication of the Report of the Mapping Exercise documenting the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed within the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 1993 and 2003, no action has been taken. No recommendations on mechanisms guaranteeing victims' right to truth, justice and reparation have been implemented. Moreover, the list of names of the alleged perpetrators of the said violations, which could constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide, is still being kept secret by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

Massacres and mass atrocities, including sexual violence related to conflicts, continue with impunity on a daily basis, notably because some of the alleged perpetrators hold senior positions in security and defence forces institutions, while others circulate freely in foreign countries.

Dear Secretary-General,

We are convinced that there can be no security or sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region without respect for human rights and recourse to independent and impartial justice that guarantees victims their right to truth, justice and reparation.

For more than twenty years, at the Panzi Hospital, Dr Denis Mukwege, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has been providing healthcare to the victims of rape and sexual violence used as an instrument of war, domination and terror, the extent and seriousness of which are a direct consequence of impunity for crimes under international law. These crimes continue to be committed on Congolese soil by a range of Congolese and foreign state and non-state armed groups.

His advocacy for human rights specific to women and girls, and for justice and peace, continues to attract many threats and much intimidation, because many Congolese and foreign public and private actors have an interest in maintaining the status quo so they can continue their criminal activities and avoid truth and justice.

Dear Secretary-General,

With a view to halting the recurring cycles of violence that have bereaved so many Congolese families over the last 25 years and so that justice can be done for the Congolese people, the civil society organizations that are signatories to this petition call on you to:

Thank you in advance for your attention and, in the expectation of a response from you, we send you our best wishes.

This petition was initiated by the National Movement of Survivors of Sexual Violence in the DRC, and the Panzi Foundation (DRC and United States), and the Mukwege Foundation. It is supported by Amnesty International, FIDH, Physicians for Human Rights, Jewish World Watch, Alliance des Avocats pour les Droits de l’Homme, Institut Francophone pour Justice et Démocratie, Médecins du Monde Belgique, Stichting Vluchteling, Läkarmissionen, PMU, Yennenga Progress, Olof Palme International Center, Aktion Canchanabury e.V., l'ONG française - We are NOT Weapons of War, Les Enfants de Panzi, FILIMBI, LUCHA, ASADHO, Ligue des Electeurs, Groupe Lotus, Agir ensemble pour les droits humains, Forum réfugiées – Cosi, DIFÄM-German Institute for Medical Mission, Protection International, EurAc, Brot für die Welt/Bread for the world, Solsoc, OENZ, CNCD-11.11.11 and The Right Livelihood Award Foundation.