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UN Alerts Increasing Human Rights Violations in DRC

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UN Alerts Increasing Human Rights Violations in DRC

(3 Minutes Read)

When the DRC’s armed forces withdrew, there was a complete breakdown in the chain of command, control and military discipline. Congolese soldiers and members of the DRC-backed Wazalendo militia killed, raped and pillaged.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now even more serious and alarming, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk warned on 16 June 2025.

Turk said that all parties to the conflict in the provinces of North and South Kivu have committed human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law.

These are the preliminary conclusions of the Human Rights Office’s Fact-Finding Mission set up at the Council’s request four months ago, which focused on the period since January 2025.

The Rwandan-backed M23 used heavy weapons during its offensive on Goma in January, hitting densely populated neighbourhoods and camps for displaced people.

When the DRC’s armed forces withdrew, there was a complete breakdown in the chain of command, control, and military discipline. Congolese soldiers and members of the DRC-backed Wazalendo militia killed, raped and pillaged.

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The Human Rights Office is currently investigating other alleged violations of international humanitarian law, many of which could constitute war crimes. Members of the M23 carried out summary and extrajudicial executions, in clear violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, and likely amounting to war crimes. The Fact-Finding Mission is also investigating alleged summary executions committed by members of the FARDC and the Wazalendo militia.