Court case launched in support of DRC Christians

Legal advocacy group ADF International is supporting a case filed with the East African Court of Justice in support of Christians whose churches have been destroyed within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Last 12 months conflict within the DRC flared up with M23 rebels seizing the important thing city of Goma.

M23 is believed to be supported by neighbouring Rwanda. The DRC accuses Rwanda of wanting to annex its mineral reach eastern territories.

For their part, Rwanda has claimed that the DRC is harbouring people suspected of involvement within the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Added into the combination are Islamic militant groups which were capable of commit atrocities while government forces and M23 are focused on one another.

ADF have asked that the DRC recognise the damage done to Christian communities during an attack on the town of Uvira in January of this 12 months. The group said that the attacks had not only killed people, but left survivors with no place to freely practise their faith.

The attack took place on 18 January and was a part of a broader military operation by the DRC to retake Uvira from M23. The local people were, in keeping with ADF, falsely accused of sympathising with M23, leading government forces to destroy homes and places of worship.

ADF have also said that the DRC should compensate those affected by the attacks and help them construct recent places of worship.

Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, said, “This is the often-overlooked aftermath of ethnic and religiously motivated violence. 

“Beyond the immediate devastation, these attacks leave lasting scars on communities. In this case, these Christians from the Banyamulenge community within the DRC at the moment are significantly hindered of their ability to worship, gather and live out their faith.”

Innocent Nteziryayo, legal counsel and representative of the churches impacted within the attack, said, “It is just right that the DRC acts swiftly to forestall further violence, takes responsibility and supports the reconstruction of destroyed churches and non secular properties.

“Banyamulenge communities must have the ability to rebuild not only their homes, but in addition the churches and organizations that sustain their spiritual and communal life.”