Horrors of Congo's conflict revealed

Some of you may have heard Amnesty’s Democratic Republic of Congo researcher on the Today programme at 6.50 this morning.  He spoke movingly of the dreadful impact that the conflict in eastern DRC is having on the general population in the region, in particular children and women.

Amnesty’s report reveals today that in spite of the peace agreement signed in January, the conflict is still raging on: thousands of girls and women are being raped – some girls as young as six; and many young boys are being forced to be child soldiers.

In fact more than half of the former child soldiers who were reunited with their families had been re-recruited by armed groups.

You may have spotted the story in today’s Metro or Guardian. And according to BBC News Online, the Congolese government has now refuted Amnesty’s claims that children are being forced to become soldiers. I’m pleased they have read the report. Let’s hope that efforts are taken to thoroughly investigate all the claims made in it.

Do keep an eye on Comment is Free, which should have comment on this later on today.

Before I go, just a bit of disappointing breaking news just in.  According to various news sources, U Win Tin was re-arrested in Burma just days after he was released.  You may recall our excitement last week when we celebrated his release after his 19-year imprisonment. But after a brief spell of optimism, sadly, we are now mobilising our supporters to campaign for his release – again!

Watch this space for more information