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Human Rights Chief Will Focus on Hema-Lendu Ethnic Violence on Visit to DR
Congo

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet arrives in Bunia, in
   the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday at the start
   of a five-day official visit to the country.

   The main focus of the high commissioner's visit is to follow up on a
   recent investigation by her office on inter-ethnic tensions between the
   Lendu and Hema communities.

   The report, published January 10th, presents a horrific picture of mass
   violations by the Lendu against the Hema, including hundreds of
   killings, rapes and sexual assaults, looting and burning of villages --
   actions it says could constitute crimes against humanity.

   Michelle Bachelet's spokeswoman, Marta Hurtado, says the high
   commissioner will visit a camp in Bunia holding people displaced by the
   ongoing violence. She tells VOA Bachelet will hold discussions with
   representatives from both groups and meet with victims of torture and
   sexual violence.

   "She is going to have all the meetings with all the actors, the main
   actors involved. And like I said right before going to meet the
   government, that is good, because she is going to have firsthand
   information and fresh information of the situation. Then, she can pass
   it on to the authorities," saidHurtado.

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