The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 44th Ordinary Session held in Abuja in the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 10 to 24 November 2008:
Recalling Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council adopted on 31st October 2000 on Women, Peace and Security as well as Sexual Crimes in the DRC;
Noting the Goma Peace Accord of January 2008;
Bearing in mind the Goma Declaration of 18 June 2008 against Sexual Violence and ending Impunity in the Great Lakes Region;
Recalling the Resolution adopted at the 42nd ordinary session in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo on sexual crimes against women in the DRC;
Appreciating the commitment of the DRC to respect the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Concerned about the renewal of hostilities in the East of DRC in particular in the Kivu regions since August 2008, and in particular the fighting currently going on in Goma between the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) and the militia acting under their control on the one hand, and the armed groups, particularly the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), on the other
Concerned further about the serious violations of the rights of human rights defenders, in particular women defenders working in North and South Kivu Province;
Deploring the serious human rights violations committed by all parties to the conflict against the civilian population, in particular summary executions, extra judicial killings, arbitrary de
