Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo - A New York-based rights group says that a new rebel group in Congo is responsible for widespread war crimes. Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday that M23 has committed summary executions, including of 33 young men and boys, who tried to escape the rebels' ranks. At least 137 youths have been forcibly conscripted, and there have been at least 46 rapes, including of a 7-year-old girl.
Anneke Van Woudenberg of Human Rights Watch says: “The M23 rebels are committing a horrific trail of new atrocities in eastern Congo.”
The rebellion began when the group's senior commanders defected from the regular army. Their leaders include General Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed during an earlier rebellion. - Sapa-AP