Acknowledgements

This report was researched and written by Ida Sawyer and Anneke Van Woudenberg, researchers in the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. Additional research was provided by Gerry Simpson of the Refugees Division and Juliane Kippenberg of the Children’s Rights Division.

This report was reviewed and edited by Rona Peligal, deputy director of the Africa Division; Andrew Mawson, deputy program director; and James Ross, legal and policy director. The report was also reviewed by Janet Walsh, deputy director of the Women’s Rights Division; Steve Crawshaw, UN advocacy director; and Juliane Kippenberg, senior researcher in the Children’s Rights Division. Production, coordination and research assistance was provided by Rachel Nicholson, associate in the Africa Division. Anna Lopriore, creative manager and photo editor assisted with the selection and layout of the photos, and John Emerson designed the maps. Grace Choi, publications director, and Fitzroy Hepkins, mail manager, prepared the report for publication.

This report was translated into French by Danielle Serres and Françoise Denayer. The French translation was vetted by Peter Huvos.

We especially wish to thank our Congolese colleagues and partners for their assistance, commitment, and dedication to defending the rights of others, as well as the hundreds of victims and witnesses to abuses who spoke to our researchers. While they cannot be named for security reasons, this report is a tribute to their courage, perseverance, and desire for the truth to be known.