Mass deportation of Congolese migrants from Angola has put thousands of people at risks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Friday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th October, 2018) Mass deportation of Congolese migrants from Angola has put thousands of people at risks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Friday.
According to the UN figures, around 330,000 people have left Angola mostly for the DR Congo's provinces of Kasai, Kasai Central and Kwango as a result of the expulsion by the Angolan government. At least six people died and at least 100 others were injured as a result of violence caused by the deportations.
"International law and African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights forbid the mass expulsion of non-nationals without individual assessment or other due process guarantees. In expelling such a massive number of people in such a short time, Angola has placed tens of thousands of families at severe risk," Bachelet said.
The commissioner has also called on the government of Angola to stop the practice of forced deportations of the Congolese nationals.
"I call on the Government of Angola to halt any ongoing deportations until it can be assured that any returns will be carried out in full respect of the rule of law and the human rights of all affected migrants. I also urge the Government to ensure that security forces and others responsible for violations in the course of these expulsions are held accountable," Bachelet noted.
She also called on the DR Congo and the international community to intensify efforts to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the arriving refugees.
The clashes between the government forces and militiamen in the Kasai region have intensified in 2016, resulting in the displacement of almost 1.5 million people, while at least 750,000 children in the region are malnourished, according to the UN figures.
