/ 7 November 1999

6000 DIE IN DR CONGO

THE United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Roberto Garreton, said it is estimated some 6000 people lost their lives during the first year of the conflict. Garreton said many of the casualties killed in retaliation for Mayi-Mayi or Interahamwe attacks on towns controlled by the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy. Another 500 people remain missing, according to his latest report, released this week.