In the grand scheme of the human rights violation crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the majority of the contraventions have been committed by M23 rebels. These rebels do not care who they hurt and are not afraid of committing sinful acts such as killing and raping. For example, on July 5, 2012 four M23 fighters worked together to rape a 12-year-old girl while she was fetching water in her village in Rutshuru ("DR Congo: M23 Rebels Kill, Rape Civilians"). The M23 rebels created a mass panic attack across the Democratic Republic of the Congo especially when they went on killing sprees. One time while they were going on one of the sprees, a family went to go hide in the bushes. The mother of three children told the story of what happened to them: “‘... we scattered into the bush. My husband went back to try to get our belongings, and they killed him. They shot him in the head’” (Human Rights Watch).
As of 2012, the M23 fighters have committed 61 cases of rape of women and girls. In fact, some of the girls/women who were raped actually recognized the M23 fighter. For example, a 35 year-old Hutu woman said, “‘I was shaking and turning toward the ground crying….. The one who raped me was an M23 fighter whom I know. I recognized him, but what can I do to him?’” (Human Rights Watch). Sometimes, these fighters raped a woman more than once. For example, a 17-year-old girl said that M23 officers had raped her twice. The second time, “‘The M23 fighter came into my house and asked me where my husband was. He then put a knife to my chest and said he was going to kill me, and that I should give him money. I told him I didn’t have any money, that my husband took it with him on patrol...The soldier fought with me on the bed. He was stronger than me and he had a gun. Then he raped me’” (Human Rights Watch).
Not only did M23 fighters rape and kill, but they also abducted children and forced them to work with them. A 19-year old recounted his story. “‘I saw the M23 come and surround me. They asked me if I was an FDLR, and I said no. After that, they started whipping and beating me. They tied me up and took me to Rumangabo... After they told me I would become a soldier’” (Human Rights Watch). In fact, sometimes families of the victims do not even know what happened to their abducted relatives.
As of 2012, the M23 fighters have committed 61 cases of rape of women and girls. In fact, some of the girls/women who were raped actually recognized the M23 fighter. For example, a 35 year-old Hutu woman said, “‘I was shaking and turning toward the ground crying….. The one who raped me was an M23 fighter whom I know. I recognized him, but what can I do to him?’” (Human Rights Watch). Sometimes, these fighters raped a woman more than once. For example, a 17-year-old girl said that M23 officers had raped her twice. The second time, “‘The M23 fighter came into my house and asked me where my husband was. He then put a knife to my chest and said he was going to kill me, and that I should give him money. I told him I didn’t have any money, that my husband took it with him on patrol...The soldier fought with me on the bed. He was stronger than me and he had a gun. Then he raped me’” (Human Rights Watch).
Not only did M23 fighters rape and kill, but they also abducted children and forced them to work with them. A 19-year old recounted his story. “‘I saw the M23 come and surround me. They asked me if I was an FDLR, and I said no. After that, they started whipping and beating me. They tied me up and took me to Rumangabo... After they told me I would become a soldier’” (Human Rights Watch). In fact, sometimes families of the victims do not even know what happened to their abducted relatives.
Why is it important?
The main lesson learned from these M23 rebels is that they truly do not care for the welfare of their country. These several accounts provide proof that these M23 officers just commit these sinful acts mainly for fun. Most of the time it’s not even the victims fault. For example, sometimes these officers killed civilians because the civilian refused to give money to the fighter. It enhanced our view on the human rights violation going on in the Congo because usually these male fighters take advantage of the fact that they have a gun so they have “power”. With this “power” , they commit several sinful acts such as rape and kidnapping and yet the Congo is not doing anything about it.