It's a striking example of how a little love can overcome a whole lot of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rebels and the government, who have blighted lush Nord-Kivu province with months of fighting, have cut a unique deal to allow armed park rangers back into the famed Virunga reserve to care for its long-neglected gorillas.

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In light of the escalating humanitarian and human rights crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Amnesty International will be holding an International Day of Action on November 23. AI USA will organize an emergency rally in front of the White House at 2pm on Sunday, November 23, in order to raise awareness about the crisis. We will call on the US government to support the UN peacekeeping mission and to commit to a long term involvement in human rights issues in the region.

For more information please see our DRC country website at www.amnestyusa.org/drc and our flyers:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/pdf/drcflyer.pdf
http://www.amnestyusa.org/pdf/drcflyersimple.pdf (printer friendly)

Nations failing on Congo crisis

Nations are abdicating their responsibility by failing to provide enough military aid to the U.N. mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as it struggles to stop brutal violence, the head of Oxfam International in the Congo said Thursday.

"There appears to be no urgency in the international community's talks on the crisis, but this is a deeply urgent situation. The world is failing in its responsibility to protect the Congo's innocent civilians," Juliette Prodhan said in a written statement.

"There has been an increase in incidents of forced labor, rape and widespread brutality," according to assessments carried out by the humanitarian group over the past week, Prodhan said. "Armed men from all sides prey upon those who have sought 'sanctuary' from the fighting in North Kivu (province)."

Fighting broke out in the province at the end of August between government forces and rebels led by Gen. Laurent Nkunda.

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"I feel that when they brought us across that slave ship only the strongest survived. Now the workers of the plantation are now in control. My grandmother text me!" Derrick Williams, Durham, North Carolina

"Black people in America are strong!" Vaugnt Mavakala, Paris, France

"Africa has been watching since day one. Change is now!" Lewif, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo