Africa in the dock

Sierra Leone's war has left many mutilated

The human rights organisation, Amnesty International - in its annual report - has strongly criticised atrocities against civilians in the conflicts in Sierra Leone, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Amnesty says some of the worst atrocities were committed by rebels of the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone.

These have included killing, rape, mutilation and abduction - from areas around Masiaka and Port Loko.

The report says that in areas under rebel control, rape was systematic, and thousands of people had to flee their homes to escape the violence.

Amnesty said that forces loyal to President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah were also responsible for abusing human rights, as were some peacekeeping troops of the African Ecomog force, who had executed some rebels.

On Burundi, Amnesty says that there has been widespread displacement of civilians, killings and disappearances.

According to the report there have been killings and beatings in so-called regroupment camps, where living conditions are described as appalling.

Thousands of people continued to be detained without trial, some having been held for more than five years.