Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINSHASA712
2007-06-25 15:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
UN INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF BEATINGS AND
how-toVZCZCXRO5178 PP RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0712 1761507 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251507Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6388 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000712
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PHUM KPKO CG
SUBJECT: UN INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF BEATINGS AND
KILLINGS OF DETAINEES BY MONUC PEACEKEEPERS IN 2005
REF: 05 KIN 337 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: PolOff TNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000712
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PHUM KPKO CG
SUBJECT: UN INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF BEATINGS AND
KILLINGS OF DETAINEES BY MONUC PEACEKEEPERS IN 2005
REF: 05 KIN 337 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POLOFF TNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) MONUC announced May 26 that the UN would conduct a
full investigation into allegations of beatings and killings
of detainees by MONUC peacekeepers in Ituri in 2005. A
previous MONUC investigation had found the peacekeepers used
excessive force, but the results were not sent to the UN in
New York, and no action was taken against them. The new
investigation will be carried out by the UN Office of
Internal Oversight (OIOS),which is independent of MONUC.
--------------
The events of February 2005
--------------
2. (C) On February 24, 2005, MONUC peacekeepers captured 30
suspected militia members in Ituri District, 15 of whom were
detained by MONUC's Ituri Brigade (IB),composed of
Bangladeshi soldiers. The next day, nine Bangladeshi
peacekeepers were killed in an ambush near the town of Ndoki
(reftel). On February 27, IB peacekeepers shot and killed
one prisoner, wounded another who later died, and allegedly
severely beat six others. The peacekeepers claimed the eight
had tried to escape.
3. (C) Immediately after the incident, a MONUC military Board
of Inquiry met to examine the two deaths. According to a
MONUC Human Rights Division (HRD) officer, HRD was not
involved in the investigation or its findings. The HRD
officer told us June 12 that after the shootings, the
remaining detainees were transferred to Bunia prison where
they remained for eight months. Although they had been
arrested as suspected militia members, no investigation was
conducted into their identities, and no charges were filed
against them. Upon their release, most returned to small
communities outside Bunia.
--------------
The current investigation
--------------
4. (C) According to the MONUC HRD officer, a letter from
someone claiming to represent the surviving victims arrived
at MONUC earlier this year. SRSG Swing turned the file over
to the OIOS, a UN watchdog agency, for a "full probe." An
OIOS officer told us June 14 that the original Board of
Inquiry investigation had been done correctly and was "not as
bad as everyone said." He said that the new investigation
was a top OIOS priority and should be completed in a few
months and submitted to USUN in New York.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) MONUC is sensitive to the potential that the
allegations could undermine peacekeeping efforts. Both the
HRD and OIOS officers insisted that our conversations be held
strictly confidential and that their names not be used, as
they were under strict directions not to discuss the case.
End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PHUM KPKO CG
SUBJECT: UN INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF BEATINGS AND
KILLINGS OF DETAINEES BY MONUC PEACEKEEPERS IN 2005
REF: 05 KIN 337 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POLOFF TNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) MONUC announced May 26 that the UN would conduct a
full investigation into allegations of beatings and killings
of detainees by MONUC peacekeepers in Ituri in 2005. A
previous MONUC investigation had found the peacekeepers used
excessive force, but the results were not sent to the UN in
New York, and no action was taken against them. The new
investigation will be carried out by the UN Office of
Internal Oversight (OIOS),which is independent of MONUC.
--------------
The events of February 2005
--------------
2. (C) On February 24, 2005, MONUC peacekeepers captured 30
suspected militia members in Ituri District, 15 of whom were
detained by MONUC's Ituri Brigade (IB),composed of
Bangladeshi soldiers. The next day, nine Bangladeshi
peacekeepers were killed in an ambush near the town of Ndoki
(reftel). On February 27, IB peacekeepers shot and killed
one prisoner, wounded another who later died, and allegedly
severely beat six others. The peacekeepers claimed the eight
had tried to escape.
3. (C) Immediately after the incident, a MONUC military Board
of Inquiry met to examine the two deaths. According to a
MONUC Human Rights Division (HRD) officer, HRD was not
involved in the investigation or its findings. The HRD
officer told us June 12 that after the shootings, the
remaining detainees were transferred to Bunia prison where
they remained for eight months. Although they had been
arrested as suspected militia members, no investigation was
conducted into their identities, and no charges were filed
against them. Upon their release, most returned to small
communities outside Bunia.
--------------
The current investigation
--------------
4. (C) According to the MONUC HRD officer, a letter from
someone claiming to represent the surviving victims arrived
at MONUC earlier this year. SRSG Swing turned the file over
to the OIOS, a UN watchdog agency, for a "full probe." An
OIOS officer told us June 14 that the original Board of
Inquiry investigation had been done correctly and was "not as
bad as everyone said." He said that the new investigation
was a top OIOS priority and should be completed in a few
months and submitted to USUN in New York.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) MONUC is sensitive to the potential that the
allegations could undermine peacekeeping efforts. Both the
HRD and OIOS officers insisted that our conversations be held
strictly confidential and that their names not be used, as
they were under strict directions not to discuss the case.
End comment.
MEECE