Activists dismayed by Rwanda membership
Friday 19 October 2012
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EmailActivists and diplomats objected furiously today after Rwanda won a seat on the UN security council on Thursday.
Before the vote, the Congolese delegation had told the general assembly it objected to Rwanda's candidacy, accusing it of harbouring "war criminals operating in the eastern part of the DRC and who are being sought by international justice."
But delegates weren't swayed by that, or by a confidential UN report that said that Rwanda continued to support M23 rebels in the east of the country.
Philippe Bolopion of Human Rights Watch said: "After blatantly violating the council's arms embargo and undermining the work of the UN by propping up the abusive M23 rebels, Rwanda is rewarded with a seat at the table.
"Kigali is now in a position to try to shield its officials implicated in abuses from UN sanctions, which is a flagrant conflict of interest."
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