Congo

Stop Texting, to Save Lives in Africa

WASHINGTON- Activists asked cell phone users to stop texting for one hour on Wednesday -- not to save energy or focus on the road, but to call attention to one of the deadliest and most underreported conflicts in the world.

What's the Story?

Posted in coltan, mining, Africa, Congo

Northern Congo Civilians 'Need Urgent Aid'

Relief groups should increase their presence in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to help civilians amid an upsurge of fighting between government troops and the notorious Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), an aid agency said yesterday.

Posted in Human Rights, Congo

Why Not to Buy a New Computer for College

The beginning of the academic year once meant new clothes, shoes, and notebooks. These days, it increasingly means new computers, iPods, and mobile phones. One company, Apple, is giving away a "free" iPod to every student, faculty, and staff who buys a MacBook. The word "free" is terribly deceptive. The human cost of mineral extraction in the high-tech industry remains intolerable.

Posted in resource wars, Congo

With Its Record of Rape, Don’t Send the US Military to the Congo to Give 'Sensitivity' Training to the Congolese Military!

On Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's August, 2009 trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she announced $17 million in new funding in the U.S. Government's contribution to international efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in the DRC.

200,000 Women and Girls Raped in the DRC

Posted in military, Congo

Clinton Presses Congo on Rape Epidemic

GOMA, DR Congo - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday offered US help to punish perpetrators of soaring sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo as she paid a lightning visit to its war-weary east.

Leaving aside her government jet for a small UN plane, Clinton became the highest ranking US official to tour the desolate lakeside town of Goma to highlight a rape epidemic afflicting tens of thousands of women.

Clinton offered personal comfort to two rape survivors, one of whom was violated when she was eight months pregnant with the fetus ripped out.

Posted in Human Rights, women's health, women's rights, Congo

Fighting the Forgotten War: Students' Activism for the Congo

Kambale Musavuli isn't your average student.

For one, he's not attached to his cell phone. In the first few days of trying to reach him for this article, the only response I received was the following recorded message: "Did you know that Congo has anywhere from 64-80% of the world's reserve of Coltan, a natural resource that is central to the operation of our cell phones?"

Posted in Activism, Congo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2009
1:04 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

DR Congo: Hold Army to Account for War Crimes

UN Security Council Should Demand Government Hold Soldiers Responsible

NEW YORK - May 19 - The United Nations Security Council, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo today, should vigorously condemn war crimes by Congolese army soldiers in the eastern part of the country, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch urged the Security Council to condition UN support for Congolese military operations on the removal of known human rights abusers from command positions.

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Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Links:

Posted in Human Rights, Congo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2009
2:07 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

UN Security Council: Push for Civilian Protection During Congo Visit

GOMA, DRC - May 18 - The United Nations Security Council, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo beginning today, should press for urgent action to protect civilians, a coalition of 68 aid and human rights groups said today.

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) Links:

Posted in Human Rights, Congo

Congo Ignored, Not Forgotten

The wars that have wracked the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1996, killing well over 5 million people (International Rescue Committee, 1/08) in what may be the deadliest conflict since World War II, are officially over. A peace agreement was signed in 2002, and general elections were held in 2006.

Posted in journalism, Media, Africa, Congo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2009
4:55 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

DR Congo: 100,000 Civilians at Risk of Attack

More UN Peacekeepers and Increased Humanitarian Aid Desperately Needed

WASHINGTON - April 29 - More than 100,000 displaced civilians in Lubero territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo desperately need protection from further attacks by Rwandan militias and Congolese forces, Human Rights Watch said today.

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) Links:

Posted in Human Rights, Congo