Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Expresses its deep concern at the impact of the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the situation of human rights in that country and its adverse effects on the civilian population; expresses its concern at the deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aggravated by the ongoing conflict in the country and the continuing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; urges all parties to the conflict to take the necessary measures to prevent all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by forces under their command and to abstain from inciting ethnic hatred and from persecuting civilians on the grounds of nationality or ethnicity; stresses the need for the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assist and protect the civilian population, includng refugees and internally displaced persons within the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; stresses the need to lift restrictions on the work of non-governmental organizations and to ensure respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression and for the right to freedom of association; calls upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to investigate, without delay, the allegations contained in the report of the Investigative Team and to bring to justice any persons found to have been involved in massacres, atrocities or other violations of international humanitarian law.

Adopted without vote, 85th meeting

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Adopted at the 85th plenary meeting, 9 Dec. 1998.