“Human Rights Watch confirmed the kidnapping for ransom of 172 Congolese and three foreign nationals in 35 separate incidents in Rutshuru, two in Nyirangongo, one in Walikale, and four in Goma, in 2015,” the watchdog said in a press release, published on its website.
The statement added that the actual number of cases is likely to be much higher, because relatives of the hostages did not inform law enforcement agencies about all of the kidnappings, fearing that they would refuse to help or it could worsen the situation.
The watchdog also said that the hostages are almost always released after a ransom is paid. Kidnappers can demand from US$200 to US$30,000 per person, however, the actual sum paid is usually much lower, according to former hostages, as quoted in the statement.
The NGO said that kidnappers usually belong to local armed groups, such as the Force for the Defense of the Interests of Congolese People (FDIPC).
In April, FDIPC’s military commander Jean Emmanuel Biriko and ten of his fighters were arrested on kidnapping charges, however the crimes did not stop, as there are many other armed groups operating in the area.
