February 10, 2009, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo: A coalition of 100 human rights organizations is calling on John Holmes, the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, to make protecting civilians a top priority of the joint Congolese and Rwandan military operation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Holmes arrived in Goma, the North Kivu capital, on February 7.

In a public letter to Mr Holmes, the Congo Advocacy Coalition expressed concern that the military operation has contributed to the displacement of thousands from their homes, as well as rapes of civilians and lootings of their communities.

On January 20, the Congolese and Rwandan governments began a joint military operation against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group based in eastern Congo, some of whose leaders are wanted on charges of genocide. While there have only been a few skirmishes so far, there is widespread anticipation that the fighting could intensify in the coming weeks.

Several Advocacy Project partners based in the DRC are members of the Congo Advocacy Coalition.