The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had raised concerns over the alleged abductions, stating that M23 fighters stormed CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital on the night of February 28.
According to OHCHR, 116 patients were taken from CBCA Hospital and 15 from Heal Africa in coordinated raids. They were accused of being DRC army soldiers or members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
However, in a statement issued on March 5, M23 rejected the allegations, insisting that the operation targeted illegal armed elements and was conducted peacefully, in adherence to international law.
'The operation conducted against 130 FARDC elements hiding in hospitals was carried out in a rigorously peaceful manner and in full compliance with international humanitarian law,' M23 said.
According to the rebel group, its actions were aimed at securing medical facilities that had allegedly been infiltrated by combatants posing as patients, thereby endangering both real patients and medical staff.
M23 further stated that the operation was conducted with the consent of hospital administrators, following reports of crimes committed by the alleged FARDC elements, including rape and theft.
'Under no circumstances have we attacked hospitals. On the contrary, our forces have secured these facilities to ensure access to medical care for those in urgent need,' the statement added.
In recent weeks, M23 has tightened its grip on strategic locations in eastern Congo, where it continues to fight what it describes as bad governance and decades of marginalization and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.
IGIHE
