AMNESTY International has accused M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of committing possible war crimes in areas under their control.

The human rights group said on Tuesday that that the militia’s fighters had engaged in torture, killings and enforced disappearances in the east of the country.

“These acts violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” Amnesty said.

The allegations come amid a renewed surge in violence that erupted in January, when the Rwandan-backed militia captured the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu province and then went on to seize Bakavu in South Kivu.

Amnesty said it had interviewed 18 people detained by M23 in Goma and Bukavu.

Many interviewees said the rebels had accused them, without evidence, of supporting the Congolese army and government, while others said they had been given no reason for their detention.

Amnesty said the detainees report edbeing crammed into overcrowded, unhygienic cells and denied adequate food, water, sanitation and medical care. 

Some of those interviewed said they saw fellow prisoners die due to these conditions or from acts of torture.

Witnesses also described detainees being battered to death with hammers and another being shot dead on the spot.

All of the former detainees said they had been tortured or had seen others being tortured with wooden sticks, electric cables or engine belts, the human rights group said.

Amnesty International regional director Tigere Chagutah said: “M23’s public statements about bringing order to eastern DRC mask their horrific treatment of detainees. They brutally punish those who they believe oppose them and intimidate others, so no-one dares to challenge them.

“Regional and international actors must pressure Rwanda to cease its support for M23.” 

The United Nations and the DRC government say Rwanda has supported M23 by providing arms and sending troops, an accusation that Kigali denies.