Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights disappointed with DRC rape case verdict

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed disappointment over the results of the mass rape trial just concluded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to a statement by the UN News Centre:

[I]n light of what is known so far, he said “the judiciary has not met the expectations of the numerous victims of rape who had fully participated in the trial.”

“The outcome of the trial confirms shortcomings in the administration of justice in the DRC,” as outlined in the recent report on progress and obstacles in the fight against impunity for sexual violence in the country issued by the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC, he added.

He said there is no possibility for appeal, per the Operational Military Court rules of procedure, in contradiction of international standards as well as the Congolese Constitution, both of which guaranteed the right to appeal.