Increased violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during July 2005 has forced 90 percent of the population in Fendula - 13,000 out of 14,476 inhabitants - to flee, according to IRIN. This brings the total number of civilians displaced in Kalonge (Sud-Kivu, DRC) between February and July to 32,000.

In DR Congo: Arming civilians adds fuel to fire, Human Rights Watch (an IANSA member) reports on cases of abuses during the violence in December 2004 and early 2005 and the continuing violence. The report, released in time for the 2005 UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms, says that arming of civilians by officials in eastern DRC has increased the risk of further violence and is undermining UN efforts to bring stability to this volatile region.

It highlights military engagements and abuses against civilians that took place following months of increasing tension between ethnic communities with Rwandan origins and other ethnic groups in eastern Congo.

Human Rights Watch make recommendations to the Congolese government, MONUC, the UN Security Council, donor governments and the International Criminal Court.

It recommends that the Congolese government:

* Halt North Kivu authorities from distributing firearms or other weapons to civilians, and collect and properly dispose firearms already distributed; Discipline or prosecute as appropriate any official involved in such activity.
* Ensure that the Congolese armed forces act in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. Investigate and fully prosecute those violating human rights and humanitarian law.
* Ensure the full integration of various factions into the new national army. Establish a vetting process to prevent persons against whom there is substantial evidence of human rights abuse from being integrated into the national army until accusations against them have been fully investigated. Provide training on the laws of armed conflict to all persons integrated into the national army.

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