By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- While UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous has repeatedly refused to acknowledge that the Geneva Conventions apply to its Force Intervention Brigade and perhaps whole Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the FIB is training as if they do not.
Even while being filmed, the Tanzanian component of the Intervention Brigade, led by Tanzanian general James Mwakibolwa couldn't help using a tent clearly marked as a medical facility, with a large red cross, as a site to be raided with guns drawn. Video here, from Minute 1:07.
The International Committee of the Red Cross was asked about this and opined that "parties involved in conflict must spare health-care workers & facilities. Attacks on health care are illegal" under International Humanitarian Law.
Why is the UN practicing violating international humanitarian law?
After the Ladsous' UN Peaceekeeping was exposed for inaction on the 135 rapes in Minova by its partners in the Congolese Army, they tried to make up for it by violating the privacy rights of victims, getting their medical records without their consent. This has yet to be addressed.
Meanwhile under Ladsous, the UN continues to support the 391st Battalion, which after being confirmed as one of two units involved in the Minova rapes was further implicated in the desecration of corpses.
French Permanent Representative to the UN Gerard Araud told Inner City Press candidly that it is difficult because the 391st Battalion is one of the "best" units in the Congolese Army. Best in what since? Practice makes perfect. Watch this site.
