Activists are demonstrating around the world to call for urgent and effective protection of civilians in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
About 150 activists came together in London on Wednesday, ahead of a key meeting of the UN Security Council. They gathered in front of the home of the UK Prime Minister, at 10 Downing Street, to urge him to take immediate and decisive action.
Behind a giant clock, activists warned that time is running out for DRC and that global leaders must do more to prevent further killings, rape, abductions and forced recruitment. The groups, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, Christian Aid and Human Rights Watch have said that this is a critical test of the UN’s ability to provide effective protection for civilians in times of crisis.
The UN Security Council has authorised the reinforcement of peacekeepers and it is essential that these reinforcement are deployed in a matter of weeks and not months as is often the case.
On Friday a Special Session of the Human Rights Council will discuss the humanitarian and human rights crisis in eastern DRC.
Further demonstrations have taken place in Rome, Washington DC, Geneva, Brussels and Paris over the last few days. Others will follow in Mali and Spain.