Government bombings “deplorable”, Garreton says

Meanwhile, the bombing of civilian populations in Kisangani, Goma, Uvira and other rebel-held towns was among the most “deplorable” acts carried out by the government and its allies in 1999, Garreton said. In addition, the government had resumed the practice of public executions, with over 100 reported during the year. Journalists, political leaders and human rights activists among others were “constantly being arrested for no apparent reason”, and there were many reports of women and girls being raped in prisons and during military operations. The transition to democracy, which Kabila said in 1997 would take two years, has not yet begun. “The human right to democracy has not been restored, and there is no indication that it will be recognized in the near future,” Garreton stated.