There is a breaking story being reported by Swedish television news magazine, Uppdrag Granskning. They allege in a just released documentary that French soldiers have been accused by the Swedish military of torturing civilians while on Operation Artemis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said.

Swedish soldiers saw French soldiers participating in hours of torture involving a Congolese man in civilian dress, allegedly choking and beating him.

This operation, sanctioned by the United Nation’s, is seen as the European Union’s first joint effort. The force contained approximately 1,500 soldiers, with orders to go to the DR Congo in an effort to provide safety to civilians in the region during 2003.

While the action was a joint effort by EU troops, reports clearly indicated the show was run by the French. It will be interesting to see whether we now have another instance similar to Abu Ghraib

We have requested a transcript from the producers of the documentary. We will post this soon.

http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=2232

The following is the resolution that started it all

COUNCIL DECISION 2003/432/CFSP of 12 June 2003
on the launching of the European Union military operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular
Article 17(2) and Article 25 thereof,
Having regard to the Council Joint Action of 2003/423/CFSP
of 5 June 2003 on the European Union Military Operation in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (1), and in particular Article 6 thereof,

Whereas:
(1) On 30 May 2003, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1484 (2003) authorising, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the temporary deployment of an interim emergency multinational force in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
(2) Following the request by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the European Union has decided to provide a temporary stabilisation force in the Ituri Region in implementation of the mandate provided in the UNSC Resolution 1484 (2003) of 30 May 2003.
(3) The Council has authorised the Political and Security Committee to take relevant decisions concerning the political control and strategic direction of the operation.
(4) In conformity with Article 6 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the European Union which have defence implications.
Denmark does not participate in the financing of the operation,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Operation Plan is approved.
Article 2
The Rules of Engagement Authorisation message is approved.
Article 3
The EU military operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo shall be launched on 12 June 2003.
Article 4
The Operation Commander is hereby authorised with immediate effect to release the activation order (Actord) in order to execute the deployment of the forces, prior to transfer of authority following their arrival in theatre, and start execution
of the mission.
Article 5
Without prejudice to Article 15 of the Joint Action 2003/423/ CFSP, this Decision will remain in effect until such time as the forces committed to the operation in Bunia have been redeployed.
Article 6
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Luxembourg, 12 June 2003.
For the Council
The President
G. DRYS