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HRW worried about reported anti-RUF atrocities

    ABIDJAN

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday that it was concerned about “credible reports” that government-allied forces in Sierra Leone were torturing and executing suspected members of the RUF, “a rebel group responsible for brutal abuses against civilians”.

    HRW urged the authorities of Sierra Leone and the international community to take immediate steps to prevent a descent into ‘mob justice’ in Sierra Leone, the rights group said in a press release.

    “We are receiving credible reports that government-allied forces in Sierra Leone are torturing and executing suspected RUF fighters, including RUF fighters who have given up their arms and completed rehabilitation programs,” said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. “The military authorities must take immediate steps to reign in their fighters and prevent a descent into mob justice.”

    Takirambudde urged the United Nations to use its large presence in Sierra Leone to stop such abuses, HRW added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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