The M23 “categorically” rejects the HRW report on attacks by the rebel group against journalists

It requires the NGO “concrete” evidence and considers that its credibility is “very questionable” for its “links” with the RDC government

Madrid, Mar. (Europa Press) –

The March 23 movement (M23) has “categorically” rejected on Wednesday the report presented on the eve by the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) that accused the rebel group and its allies of having attacked journalists and activists since they captured the capital of Kivu Norte, Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“This publication constitutes a flagrant attempt to disseminate false information, deceive the public and favor the interests of the Kinshasa regime. Our organization has never arrested, intimidated or persecuted any journalist or activist,” says a statement published by the spokesman of the M23, Lawrence Kanyuka, in his profile of the social network X.

In this sense, he has demanded HRW to provide “concrete” evidence to support his statements, since he considers that his credibility “is very questionable”, given his “well -documented links” with the Congolese authorities. “We strongly condemn this abuse of influence to tarnish the image of our organization,” he added.

That is why the rebel spokesman has urged the public and international partners to “dismiss this biased report and, instead, examine HRW’s relationship with the Kinshasa regime, which has compromised the integrity of their publications.”

Finally, he stressed that the Congo River (AFC) Alliance, headed by the M23, “has always defended press freedom and maintains its network of contacts with national and international journalists.” As noted, media professionals “have freedom to operate in released areas without restrictions, censorship or narratives imposed.”

The M23, mainly made up of Congolese Tutsis, has achieved important territorial advances during the last weeks, an offensive that has led RDC to directly accuse Rwanda of deploying troops in its territory to support the operations of the M23, in the midst of regional calls to a high fire and a peace process.

For their part, the Ruandesa authorities accuse the RDC government of repressing the Congolese tutsis, which are a minority in the east of the African country, with support from armed groups such as the democratic forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)-founded by Hutus escaped after the genocide in Rwanda in 1994- and other local militias.