The Mapping Report.

A brief overview of the Mapping Report.

On October 1st, 2010, the UN published The Mapping Report that detailed the serious violations of human rights as well as international humanitarian laws in the Democratic Republic of Congo between the years 1993 and 2003. These atrocities were revealed to be at the hands of it's neighbouring countries: Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Angola. The UN reports that extreme acts of sexual violence, in addition to the killings, that were committed against women and children. A total of 617 war crimes, human rights crimes as well as crimes of genocide were perpetuated in Congo by 21 rebel groups and eight foreign armies. These acts of violence were linked to the creation of political instability so that the neighbouring countries would be able to exploit natural resources in the region. Rwanda is particularly highlighted in the orchestration of the genocide incited in the Eastern region of The Democratic Republic of Congo. Through this Rwanda would then be able to gain access and control of the regions that have large amounts of coltan reserves.

The report goes on to very graphically detail the violent crimes committed against women and children. Millions of women and children, in addition to being displaced, were subjected to being killed, tortured and raped. This fate extended to children as young as six years old. If the children weren't killed or forced to work in the mines they were trained to be child soldiers.

Although the report brings light to the crimes committed between 1993-2003, the mass killings, rapes and violence continue, as the international community continues to turn a blind eye to the current reality of the DRC. The Mapping Report was published in order to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable but global powers stand in opposition to it, most prominently, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. They oppose the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal for Congo and in doing so they stand in support of Paul Kagame and his accomplices in the DRC.

The Mapping Report is crucial in bringing everyone that participated in these atrocities to justice and this is why it is important to continue advocating for its recognition. One of the most prominent figures in the advocacy of the mapping report is, Dr. Denis Mukwege.

Dr. Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist in Bukavu, a human rights activist, and the founder of the Panzi Foundation. In 2019, he received a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. He is currently advocating for the recognition of The Mapping Report and the end of impunity. In his efforts he launched a petition that has garnered thousands of signatures.

We implore that everyone read the Mapping Report to denounce the crimes that have been highlighted and to sign and share the aforementioned petition. It is only with a collective effort that we will be able to thwart the feigned ignorance of the global powers who refuse to acknowledge the crimes of world leaders, like Rwandan president Paul Kagame in the DRC.