UN says at least 40 killed in DR Congo anti-Kabila protestsDecember 23, 2016 - 15:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 40 people have been killed and another 460 arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week during protests against President Joseph Kabila's refusal to leave office, the UN said Friday, December 23, according to AFP. "The UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC (UNJHRO) has documented at least 40 killings of civilians in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Boma and Matadi," the United Nations human rights office said in Geneva. Those killed were "mainly" people protesting against Kabila's refusal to step down after his second and final term, which officially ended on December 20, rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters. "Some 107 people have been injured or ill-treated and there have been at least 460 arrests," she added. In a statement, UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the high casualty figures suggested DR Congo's security services had shown "a serious disregard" for the need for restraint. "Not only are soldiers participating in law enforcement operations, but all the forces involved are heavily armed and using live ammunition," Zeid said. Chronically-unstable DR Congo has been thrust into political limbo by Kabila's refusal to quit the presidency. Hopes were raised Thursday that deal between the government and opposition brokered by the influential Catholic church could be signed imminently, but a source close to the negotiations said Friday that "complications" were holding up a final agreement. Zeid warned that the political crisis could be leading to "wider destabilisation" across the country. "Violent repression of dissenting voices and a heavy-handed and irresponsible response to demonstrations risk provoking violence in return by demonstrators and possibly even tipping the constitutional crisis over the president's future into further conflict across the country," the rights chief said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |