UN Authority Figures

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Executive Committee: Democratic Republic of the Congo

There is a fresh influx of refugees into Uganda, fleeing violence, rape and killings by militias in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Source: The East African November 21, 2015

Mission of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees: "The High Commissioner for Refugees is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, UNHCR strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily." (UNHCR Website, "Mission Statement")

Democratic Republic of the Congo's Term of office: 1979-

Democratic Republic of the Congo's Record on Refugees:
"Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Due to the conflict in the East and a heightened conflict in northern-central Katanga province, the number of IDPs by September was more than 2.6 million throughout the country... The government was unable to protect or assist IDPs adequately, and it generally allowed domestic and international humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to the IDPs. Fighting and a general lack of security impeded humanitarian efforts. Combatants and other civilians abused some IDPs, including via sexual exploitation of women and children, abduction, forced conscription, looting, illegal taxation, and general harassment... These incidents included administrative impediments by government institutions, illegal taxation, sexual violence and rape, killing, and looting."
(U.S. State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2014, Democratic Republic of the Congo)