Congo Police Kill 27 Youths During Anti-Crime Campaign - US Rights Group

Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) executed at least 27 youth during an anti-crime campaign apparently waged to discourage protests ahead of December presidential elections, Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged in a press release on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st February, 2019) Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) executed at least 27 youth during an anti-crime campaign apparently waged to discourage protests ahead of December presidential elections, Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged in a press release on Thursday.

"One objective of Operation Likofi IV was to spread fear in the capital to deter protests linked to the elections," a security officer told HRW. "This took place in the context of broader repression against the political opposition and pro-democracy activists in the country."

HRW identified 27 young men and boys that were executed and another seven who were forcibly "disappeared" between May and September 2018.

In January, President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn into office as president of Congo following disputed elections in December.

In many cases during the "anti-crime campaign" police blindfolded and bound the victims, took them to unidentified locations, and killed them, the release said. Often the police dumped the victims' bodies near their homes early the next morning. Most victims were strangled in an apparent strategy by the authorities to direct attention away from the police.

HRW urged the US and EU to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes against individuals who participated in the killings.