KIWANJA MASSACRES: UNHRO PREVIEWS REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001096 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018 TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS PREL CG SUBJECT: KIWANJA MASSACRES: UNHRO PREVIEWS REPORT REF: A) KINSHASA 984 B) KINSHASA 980 Classified By: Political Counselor Phillip R. Nelson for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) United Nations Human Rights Office (UNHRO) Director Todd Howland recently shared with post initial findings from UNHRO's investigation into the mass killings committed November 4-6 in Kiwanja (reftels). Eye witness testimony, as well as reports from MONUC troops in the area, indicate CNDP forces summarily executed dozens of civilians. The MONUC troops reported random shots 30 minutes after Mai Mai forces had left Kiwanja, thus apparently refuting CNDP claims that the civilians died in crossfire. To encourage a more activist approach by MONUC troops in similar situations, Howland suggested that a stronger protection-human rights link be considered during the upcoming UNSC debate on MONUC's renewal. Human Rights Watch released on December 10 a report laying the majority of the blame for the Kiwanja massacres on the CNDP. End Summary. UNHRO: Findings Indicate CNDP Committed Summary Executions -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) UNHRO Director Todd Howland recently briefed PolCouns and PolOff on UNHRO's initial findings into the mass killings in Kiwanja on November 4-6. Investigators collected 120 eye witness testimonies, as well as testimony from Indian and Uruguayan MONUC forces in the area. The testimony, which, according to Howland, was very consistent, strongly indicated that CNDP forces summarily executed dozens of civilians in retaliation for their alleged support of Mai Mai groups. Howland said that the UNRHO report will finalize its report in one-two weeks before sending it to SRSG Alan Doss. Following Doss' approval, UNHRO will give the report to CNDP for comment. UNHRO plans to make the report public. ¶3. (C) Howland noted that human rights abuses, particularly retaliatory killings, occur at a higher rate immediately after an armed group takes or retakes territory. Consequently, testimony from MONUC forces in the area that they heard random shots approximately 30 minutes after the Mai Mai had left Kiwanja apparently refutes CNDP claims that those civilians were killed in crossfire. Most of the victims were young men. ¶4. (C) Howland said that UNHRO staff has good working level relations with the CNDP's human rights POC. The CNDP human rights contact accepts criticism of minor CNDP infractions, such as extortion or arbitrary detention, with some evidence that perpetrators are punished. However, at the level of more serious human rights abuses, there is complete denial from the CNDP. The Link Between Human Rights and Civilian Protection -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Howland opined that there should be closer contact between MONUC's human rights personnel and its troops on the ground. This would enable MONUC to better carry out its protection mandate. For instance, human rights officers, with a knowledge of abuse patterns, would recommend more active MONUC patrols in areas that have recently changed hands from one side to the other. Howland suggested that, when considering the renewed mandate for MONUC, there should be a more explicit link between human rights and protection. Human Rights Watch Blames CNDP for Kiwanja Killings -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) On December 10, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its report on the Kiwanja massacres. HRW estimated that 150 civilians died, placing the majority of the blame on the CNDP. HRW sharply criticized MONUC for failing to protect civilians, even though its forces were within a half mile of most of the atrocities. The report also blamed the FARDC and Mai Mai forces for their actions surrounding the November 4-6 events. HRW called for an EU bridging force to supplement existing MONUC forces until newly authorized MONUC forces can be identified and deployed. BROCK