The severe liquidity crisis affecting the UN and its international partners has already halted a high-level human rights investigation into the DRC crisis initiated in February.
According to testimonies collected by OHCHR investigators concerning widespread violence in DRC’s North and South Kivu since January, members of the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, systematically engaged in widespread sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery.
As M23 fighters seized major cities in North and South Kivu, including Goma, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani noted from a Fact-Finding Mission report that “women and girls were disproportionately targeted.” However, men, boys, and LGBT individuals also suffered sexual violence, including while in detention.
The report details the failure of all parties to protect civilians, especially during the M23 and RDF takeover of Goma in late January, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals.
Loaded into trucks
Information from the Fact-Finding Mission reveals that hundreds of children were detained by M23 members this year, with many forcibly recruited to fight against the FARDC.
The mission’s report explains, “M23 detained thousands of civilians, largely during daily cordon-and-search operations since January.” Many detainees, mostly able-bodied men and boys aged 15 and older, were loaded into trucks and taken away. Families searching for detainees faced threats, beatings, or were chased away.
The Human Rights Council report was to serve as a foundation for a potential war crimes investigation by a Commission of Inquiry created by the 47 Member States in February. However, the UN’s human rights work’s cash crunch has left this panel without sufficient funding, said Ms. Shamdasani in Geneva.
Peace deal hopes shattered
The report also notes concern over the lack of emphasis on accountability and victim support in the June 27 peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged for action and accountability after the report’s release. “It is heartbreaking and deeply frustrating to witness, once again, the dehumanization of the civilian population by those in power who are failing in their responsibilities,” he said.
He insisted on the swift implementation of the Commission of Inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council to continue this critical work, emphasizing the need to honor the victims.
All warring parties bear responsibility
Ms. Shamdasani highlighted that the DRC report indicates all conflict parties committed gross human rights violations and international humanitarian law breaches. This includes the M23, supported by Rwandan Defense Forces, as well as Congolese Armed Forces and associated groups.
She added that the M23, backed by training, material, intelligence, and operational support from the Rwandan Defense Forces, captured major cities in North and South Kivu.
Detained and tortured
They embarked on an intimidation and violent repression campaign through summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances, and forced recruitment, presenting “reasonable grounds” to suspect M23 fighters of crimes against humanity, Ms. Shamdasani added.
Rapes occurred repeatedly over extended periods, often paired with additional physical and psychological torture and other ill-treatment to degrade, punish, and break the victims’ dignity.
Civilians attempt to return home to Sake in the DR Congo following an M23 rebel assault.
“Hundreds of children were detained by M23, and young males forcibly recruited. The report reveals the immense impact of the conflict on children of all ages,” the OHCHR spokesperson noted.
The fact-finding mission report identifies daily violations throughout M23’s controlled territory, indicating a high level of organization, planning, and resource mobilization.
The report also chronicles grave breaches by government FARDC forces and affiliated groups like the Wazalendo, highlighting a pattern of civilian killings, widespread sexual violence, particularly gang rape against women and girls, and looting by FARDC members and Wazalendo during their January and February retreat from front lines.
“The report concludes that both DRC and Rwanda are accountable for their support to armed groups with known histories of severe abuses and for failing to take necessary actions to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians from severe harm,” Ms. Shamdasani noted.
Help for victims
The UN human rights office supports victims of sexual and gender-based violence by focusing on their needs.
The office also provides technical assistance and legal frameworks to countries to advance women’s and girls’ human rights and protect them from gender-based violence.
As part of their work, UN workers engage with educational, religious, and community leaders to challenge harmful gender norms about girls’ education and their roles in society. They also lead discussions on the negative impacts of early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Leave a Reply