The United Nations’ Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, delivered a critical report on Tuesday outlining the worsening human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She highlighted ongoing atrocities linked to the offensive by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.
“This year’s offensive by the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda, has deepened an already dire humanitarian and human rights crisis in Eastern DRC,” Al-Nashif stated. The UN Joint Human Rights Office has been providing technical assistance to local authorities to reinforce the rule of law, promote transitional justice, and combat impunity. However, escalating violence has significantly hampered these efforts.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made in holding perpetrators accountable. Al-Nashif noted that recent trials resulted in the conviction of a warlord and former militia members for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape, and sexual slavery. The scale of violence remains alarming. Since January, the UN has documented 602 cases of extrajudicial and summary executions carried out by multiple factions involved in the conflict. In Ituri province, various armed groups continue to commit widespread atrocities, including civilian abductions and mass killings.
Conflict-related sexual violence has surged, with reported cases increasing by over 270% from January to February 2025. The crisis has also triggered widespread displacement, with nearly 26 million people—almost a quarter of the DRC’s population—facing severe food insecurity.
The humanitarian toll is staggering:
- 7.8 million people are internally displaced, including 3.8 million in the Kivu provinces alone.
- Over 1.6 million children in eastern DRC have lost access to education, as numerous schools have been destroyed, repurposed as emergency shelters, or seized by armed factions.
Al-Nashif underscored the need for long-term solutions, calling for an end to the illegal exploitation of the DRC’s natural resources, which fuels the conflict. She urged the Congolese government to combat corruption, impunity, and hate speech—issues that continue to exacerbate the crisis. “After nearly three decades of conflict and over six million deaths, it is evident that there is no military solution to this crisis,” she warned.
She further stressed the importance of transitional justice and called for the acceleration of national reconciliation efforts. The UN has pledged continued support, including forensic expertise, financial aid, and assistance in reforming the Penal Code to criminalize hate speech. Al-Nashif urged the international community to take concrete steps to curb the exploitation of the DRC’s resources and hold accountable those profiting from illegally extracted minerals.
“If decisive action is not taken, the violence could engulf the entire region, escalating the already catastrophic humanitarian situation,” she warned. She called for global solidarity to ensure justice for the millions of Congolese civilians who have suffered decades of conflict, emphasizing that the ongoing violations—many of which could constitute international crimes—must be urgently addressed.
