The Catholic humanitarian organization sent a written appeal to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, entitled «Peace and Reconciliation in the Great Lakes Region of Africa,» to be included in the agenda of its 60th session, scheduled March 15-April 23 in Geneva.
The conflicts that convulse the countries of the area — Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda — have resulted in thousands of dead and refugees, and caused «grave consequences in the human, economic, social and environmental plane,» the document states.
The causes of the conflicts vary in each country, the group said. But there are common elements that severely affect the region’s progress, such as «the lack of democracy and of democratic institutions,» inadequate government, corruption, violation of agreements and of international law, as well as criminal impunity, it said.
Pax Christi called for the establishment of an International Criminal Court for the Great Lakes and an increase of aid for the development of the countries provided that there is good government and respect for peace agreements and international norms.
