Martin Kobler, head of MONUSCO strongly condemns attacks on schools and hospitals
Kinshasa, 25 September 2013: The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) strongly condemns the attacks on schools and hospitals committed by parties to the conflict, in particular by the armed group ADF in Beni territory.
The Head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler said "ADF and all other parties involved in such acts must immediately stop committing these deplorable violations of the rights of the child, which have deprived more than 7,000 children of their education and affected the provision of health services for thousands more".
Note to the Editors:
According to Security Council Resolution 1998, attacks on schools and hospitals are a grave violation of child rights in the context of the conflict, and will lead to listing by the United Nations Secretary General the annex of his annual report on Children and Armed Conflict and sanctions for perpetrators.
This year, the UN documented so far 49 incidents of attacks on schools and health facilities by armed groups in the DR Congo.