Sixty years ago, after the horrors of World War II and Nazi Germany, the international community responded that all people are entitled to the same set of human rights by virtue of being human. These include the right to freedom from torture and arbitrary imprisonment as well as the right to sufficient food and shelter, healthcare, employment and education. Unfortunately, an enormous amount of people all over the world are not able to live the life of a dignified human being as their human rights are constantly being abused. I have chosen to write about the violent and brutal conflict in the Second Congo War aka Africa’s World War. It began in 1998 and officially ended 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo took power but hostilities continue to this day. This war which is considered to be the deadliest conflict worldwide since World War II and is the largest war in modern African history. By 2008, the war and its aftermath had killed 5.8 million, mostly from preventable diseases and starvation. Tragically, the result has been numerous victims viciously massacred, raped, dismembered and a whole generation of youth traumatized by their forced participation in the brutality of war. Just recently, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been prosecuting individuals (rebel leaders) in Africa for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Germain Katanga, leader of the FRPI, and Thomas Lubanga, leader of the Hema UPC militia, are two arch-enemy rebel leaders who are finally being prosecuted and held accountable for the brutal violence bestowed upon the innocent Congolese people. For more information, check out The Reckoning which is a documentary film by Skylight Pictures that highlights the atrocities committed in Africa. It is very powerful, informational and really brings to light the human rights issues at hand.
Every person is born with certain rights by virtue of being human. We all have the right to live dignified lives, free from torture and arbitrary imprisonment. We have the right to adequate food, shelter, healthcare, education and employment. People who violate these human rights must be held accountable for their actions. The Hema tribesman in the Reckoning video says is perfectly, “Without justice, people will have no respect for each other.” People will continue to ruthlessly kill, torture, rape, dismember and exploit innocent people and children if they are not stopped and prosecuted. I applaud the efforts of the International Criminal Court and hope they continue to bring evil killers and human rights violators to justice.
For more information on Human Rights check out these great websites:
Amnesty International USA - Actions for Human Rights. Hope for Humanity.
