When I originally began thinking about an amendment of this nature. I was concerned about the inability of the DROC government to follow up on what were really gross abuses of human rights committed during the takeover of the former Zaire by the rebel movement that became known as the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL). During the takeover. which took place from late 1996 through the Spring of 1997. thousands of civilians. mostly Hutu refugees. were slaughtered reportedly by rebel troops. some of them possibly Rwandan or under Rwandan command. The facts have never been clear on these massacres. but credible information from human rights groups clearly indicate that massacres were carried out throughout the countryin Mbandaka. in the west. in Kisangani. in the middle of the country. and in the Kivu region in the eastleading even a casual observer to surmise it was a well planned military operation. In July 1997.
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refugees