The Rwandan authorities has dismissed allegations contained in a brand new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, accusing the group of selective scrutiny that downplays abuses by Congolese forces and their allies whereas concentrating on Rwanda and the M23.
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In its official response to HRW’s 78-page report titled “Dying Was In all places”: Arbitrary Detention, Killings, and Compelled Recruitment by the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Drive, printed on June 10, the Workplace of Authorities Spokesperson dismissed claims of RDF involvement in compelled recruitment, detention, torture, executions, compelled labor, or baby recruitment.
“Rwanda rejects HRW’s try to collapse M23 and RDF into one actor. Alleged M23 conduct can’t be handled as RDF conduct,” the assertion stated on Thursday, June 11.
Rwanda highlighted HRW’s personal findings on Congolese authorities assist for armed teams, together with the FDLR, a militia shaped by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide towards the Tutsi.
The response famous that the report discovered that the Congolese military has supported armed teams against the M23, together with the Kinshasa-sponsored FDLR, and that “Congolese authorities armed, financed, and coordinated operations with Wazalendo factions and different militias, together with the FDLR.”
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Regardless of these admissions, Rwanda criticized HRW for offering “no substantial findings on FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo, or their chain of command,” naming no Congolese commanders for sanctions, and relegating Kinshasa’s position to “background materials.”
On methodology, Rwanda stated: “No investigator set foot within the locations this report describes. There was no website go to, no exhumation, and no forensic examination.”
It famous the report concedes the demise toll “might greatest be decided if all mass graves had been discovered and excavated.” Allegations depend on anonymized testimony, together with from surrendered combatants in Congolese custody.
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Rwanda additionally faulted HRW for minimizing international mercenaries and Kinshasa's violations of the Washington Accords, whereas framing Rwanda’s actions as undermining peace regardless of the FDLR risk.
“HRW’s personal report states that Rwanda’s safety issues are linked significantly to the FDLR genocidal militia,” it stated.
The assertion known as for “real, unbiased investigation, performed with entry, forensic rigor, and due course of.”
It endorsed the Washington Accords as the trail ahead for safety, accountability, and regional cooperation.
Rwanda vowed to defend its safety and assist a “regional answer rooted in dialogue, equity, and partnership.”
