27 11 12 AI – Obama Administration Must Step Up Influence, Especially at United Nations, to Protect Lives in Danger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Amnesty
International, in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said it is
deeply concerned about the safety of civilians in Goma and Sake due to the
renewed outbreak of violence and the appalling record of past human rights
abuses by the armed group M23, which has been responsible for unlawful killings,
forced labor and rape and the recruitment of children as
soldiers.

Although
U.N. peacekeepers are stationed in both Goma and Sake with the task of
protecting the safety of civilians, it is not clear that they have the resources
to do their job. Amnesty International said reports of abductions, sexual
violence and summary executions in the area raise renewed concerns about the
catastrophic consequences for civilians.

“The U.S.
government and the U.N. Security Council need to exert their influence to make
sure the MONUSCO peacekeeping force has the backbone and the capacity it needs
to protect civilians," said Suzanne Nossel, executive director of Amnesty
International USA.

In
addition, Amnesty International called on the United States to recommend that
the U.N. Security Council add high ranking officials within the Rwandan Ministry
of Defense to the list of designated individuals to be subject to sanctions for
their support of armed groups in the DRC.

Amnesty
International’s own research shows that Rwanda provided recruits and weapons to
M23 in July and August in violation of the U.N. arms
embargo.

“Sanctioning Rwandan military leaders could discourage
Rwanda from supporting M23 and help prevent M23’s ability to commit serious
human rights abuses,” said Nossel. "The United States needs to use the weight of
its influence to make clear to the government of Rwanda that any continued role
in supporting M23 and its abuses is unacceptable.”

The United
States should also support a Security Council resolution that would require
Rwanda to withdraw its support from the M23 armed group, said Amnesty
International.

Amnesty International is a Nobel
Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million
supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for
human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses,
educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice,
freedom, truth and dignity are denied.