A UN human rights investigator, Robert Garreton, has accused the Congolese government oof systematic human rights abuses against anyone opposed to its policies.

Mr Garreton, who made the allegations while testifying to a General Assembly committee, said the government's military courts were a sham and had no basis in law.

However, Mr Garreton also accused rebels seeking to topple President Laurent Kabila of persecuting civilians in the east.

Mr Garreton's information has been gathered from witnesses outside the Congo as he has been refused entry to the country.