M23 rebels refute UN claims of hospital attacks in Eastern DRC
The group called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to reject what they referred to as "erroneous and malicious interpretations" of the situation.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has strongly denied allegations from the United Nations that it attacked hospitals in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The group insists that its recent operations were aimed at securing medical facilities from armed soldiers, not harming civilians or healthcare infrastructure.
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In a statement, the AFC/M23 rejected the accusations, labeling them as a 'deliberate manipulation' aimed at damaging the group's reputation.
"Our organisation has never attacked hospitals, churches, schools, or any other civilian institution, neither in the past nor during the security stabilisation operations in liberated areas," M23 stated.
The allegations stem from remarks made by Vivian Van De Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations within the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
According to her, AFC/M23 forces violated international humanitarian law by targeting medical facilities during their operations. However, the group insists that its intervention was necessary because elements of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) had infiltrated hospitals.
"The operation conducted against 130 FARDC elements hiding in hospitals was carried out in a rigorously peaceful manner and full compliance with international humanitarian law," AFC/M23 stated.
"Under no circumstances have we attacked hospitals. On the contrary, our forces have secured these facilities to ensure access to medical care for those in urgent need."
The M23 highlighted the tragic events at the central Munzenze prison, where it claims that women were raped and murdered just days before they entered Goma. The group insists that these crimes happened under MONUSCO's watch and should not be attributed to its forces.
"These acts, committed in an establishment under MONUSCO's supervision, cannot in any way be attributed to our organisation. The confusion between these events and the security stabilisation operation in Goma has given rise to unfounded rumours of alleged massacres and forced recruitment," the organisation clarified.
While the UN expressed concerns over potential human rights violations, AFC/M23 reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law.
The group called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to reject what they referred to as "erroneous and malicious interpretations" of the situation.
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