Democratic republic of the congo: Amnesty International has launched the 6 million Voices for Justice for Congo campaign, aimed at demanding accountability for crimes under international law committed during the long-standing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This initiative urges six million people worldwide to sign a petition advocating for justice for victims and survivors of the conflict, which has lasted over 30 years and claimed approximately 6 million lives.
According to African Press Organization, the campaign calls for the creation of an international judicial mechanism to investigate crimes committed by Congolese and foreign security forces, armed groups, and other actors from 1993 to 2003. The conflict has severely impacted civilians, leading to repeated attacks, mass displacement, and the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war.
Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns in East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, emphasized the need for justice, stating that victims and survivors have waited too long for accountability. The organization urges President Tshisekedi to collaborate with the African Union and the United Nations to establish an international judicial mechanism to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity from 1993 to 2003. The campaign also calls for reparations for victims, including compensation and rehabilitation.
The initiative highlights the importance of Congolese courts in independently and impartially investigating and prosecuting crimes committed since 2003. Amnesty International advocates for the establishment of mixed chambers within the DRC's appeal courts to handle all crimes under international law.
Chikwanda stresses the need for national, regional, and international actors to push for justice and accountability, emphasizing the impact of the conflict on generations of Congolese people. Amnesty International's campaign also proposes the adoption of a law to establish mixed chambers and a tribunal for crimes committed during the Congo wars.
In addition, the campaign calls for the DRC to recognize 1 October as an annual Day of Reflection and Action on Crimes under International Law Committed in the DRC, marking the release of the United Nations' Mapping Report in 2010. This day would serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for justice and the prevention of atrocities.
The conflict in eastern DRC has persisted since the 1990s, exacerbated by the influx of Rwandan refugees after the 1994 genocide and the complex interplay of foreign military involvement, regional tensions, and numerous armed groups. Over a hundred active armed groups currently operate in the DRC, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to justice and accountability.