Gratien Iracan: Kigonze Site Sécurisation & Rights After Fire

• National Deputy Gratien Iracan called on Ituri provincial authorities to restore order and respect human rights at the Kigonze displacement site in Bunia.
• His statement, issued on Friday, September 25, followed a fire of unknown origin on Wednesday, September 23, which destroyed shelters and displaced vulnerable people.
• Iracan supports security efforts but deplores reported loss of life, injuries, and civilian displacement, stressing that criminal responsibility is individual.
• The Kigonze site, which once housed 19,000 displaced persons, has significantly emptied since a security operation began, with many families now living with hosts or on the street.
• He urged the military governor to intervene, ensure civilian protection, and maintain displacement sites as safe havens.

The deputy firmly reiterated the principle that criminal responsibility is inherently individual, advocating for the protection of non-combatants throughout all security operations.

National Deputy Gratien Iracan, who represents Bunia, issued a public statement on Friday, September 25, which was reviewed by Radio Okapi. In his communication, Iracan urgently called upon the provincial authorities in Ituri to re-establish order at the Kigonze displacement site, located in Bunia. He underscored the critical importance of upholding both the rule of law and fundamental human rights during these efforts.

This appeal followed a significant incident earlier in the week, specifically on Wednesday, September 23, when a fire of undetermined origin swept through the Kigonze site. The blaze resulted in the destruction of numerous makeshift shelters and compelled vulnerable individuals residing there to abandon their temporary homes. The deputy's statement also brought to light alleged human rights violations occurring within the site and directly requested the military governor of Ituri to intervene personally to guarantee the safety and protection of civilians. This highlights the immediate need for Gratien Iracan sécurisation efforts at the site.

While expressing his support for the provincial authorities' ongoing initiatives to secure both the Kigonze site and the wider city of Bunia, Deputy Iracan voiced profound regret over recent reports of fatalities, injuries, and civilian displacements. He emphasized that any campaign against criminality must strictly adhere to legal principles, respect human rights, and preserve the dignity of every individual.

Iracan articulated a clear distinction, asserting that individuals suspected of criminal activities should be identified and apprehended by appropriate competent services. Crucially, he insisted that these suspects must not be indiscriminately grouped with the general civilian population, specifically mentioning women, children, and the elderly. The deputy firmly reiterated the principle that criminal responsibility is inherently individual, advocating for the protection of non-combatants throughout all security operations.

The Kigonze displacement site, which local estimates suggest once provided refuge for approximately 19,000 displaced persons, has experienced a dramatic reduction in its population. This significant emptying of the site has occurred since the commencement of a recent security operation in the area. Many families, having departed Kigonze, are now reportedly living with host families or have been forced onto the streets.

The destruction observed at the site extends beyond the recent fire, as several shelters and personal belongings of displaced individuals were also lost in the Wednesday, September 23 blaze. As of the deputy's statement, the individuals responsible for this destructive fire and the precise circumstances surrounding its outbreak remained undetermined. In light of these developments, Gratien Iracan has renewed his urgent plea to the military governor of Ituri, urging him to take decisive action to address the deteriorating situation, restore stability in Kigonze, and ensure the unwavering protection of civilians. He further articulated his vision that displacement sites should serve as secure havens for those fleeing violence, rather than becoming zones susceptible to further insecurity.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Okapi