Help us continue to fight human rights abuses. Please give now to support our work. Criminal gangs have kidnapped for ransom at least people near the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo between April and March Small groups armed with guns and machetes have beaten, tortured, and murdered hostages, raping women and girls, who make up more than half of them, while using threats to extort money from their families. Congolese law enforcement should take steps to dismantle the criminal gangs and arrest those responsible for the kidnappings and sexual violence in the Bukoma area of Rutshuru territory in North Kivu province.