The United Nations Human Rights Office has voiced significant concerns regarding the recent assault on the CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital in Goma by the M23 rebels. The group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has abducted 131 men who were hospital patients, labeling them as either Congolese army soldiers or affiliates of the pro-government Wazalendo militia. UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described these actions as extremely worrying and called for the immediate release of the abducted individuals.
This situation occurs amidst a broader escalation of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marked by the M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu earlier this year, intensifying civilian casualties and displacements. According to estimations, more than 500,000 individuals are now internally displaced in Eastern DRC, with a potential influx of 258,000 refugees across neighboring countries. While the M23 declared a unilateral ceasefire for humanitarian reasons on February 4, violence persists, exacerbating human suffering.
The global community is reminded that according to international humanitarian law, hospitals are considered protected civilian objects. Their deliberate targeting, as stated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is a grave breach that could amount to war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. The UN Security Council Resolution 2286 calls upon nations to prosecute such violations and ensure protection during armed conflicts.
In response to these developments, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has already initiated a fact-finding mission in the region to document violations and abuses committed by all conflicting parties. This undertaking underscores the necessity for accountability and adherence to humanitarian law principles amidst escalating violence in the DRC.