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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 40697, member: 636"]
M23 rebels deny human rights abuse claims made against them. Amnesty International accused the group of murder and torture last Tuesday. The rights group says rebels killed prisoners and took money from families. M23 calls the report false propaganda from Congo's government. Eighteen former prisoners told Amnesty about bad treatment during detention.

The former detainees described overcrowded jail cells without proper food or water. Eight men saw other prisoners die from beatings and harsh conditions. Families paid hundreds or thousands of dollars to free their relatives. Some prisoners died after release from injuries received during captivity. M23 fighters forced families to negotiate for weeks to get loved ones back.

Tigere Chagutah leads Amnesty's East Africa office and wants M23 to release all civilian prisoners. The group should tell families where missing people are located. Independent monitors need access to all detention centers under rebel control. Lawrence Kanyuka speaks for M23 and rejected all abuse allegations. He says international groups should focus on dialogue rather than accusations.

M23 controls major cities and airports across North and South Kivu provinces. Congo's government claims Rwanda supports the rebel movement. Both Rwanda and M23 deny receiving outside military help. The group says it fights corruption and discrimination within Congo's political system.
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