The UN Human Rights Council has launched an inquiry into human rights violations in eastern DRC due to armed conflicts, particularly the M23 group seizing Goma. The commission aims to investigate abuses, ensure accountability, and document evidence of crimes while recognizing the need to protect civilians and aid survivors of violence.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has unanimously resolved to initiate a fact-finding mission and inquiry into the atrocities occurring amid the ongoing armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision was made during a special session convened at the request of Congo and supported by 48 countries worldwide. The council aims to investigate violations committed by all parties involved in the conflict.
In the recent violence in North and South Kivu provinces, the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has taken control of Goma from the Congolese army and its allies. Reports from human rights organizations, the UN, and various media outlets have detailed incidents of summary executions, sexual violence, looting, and forced labor. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed grave concerns, noting that the ongoing fighting exacerbates the already prevalent risk of sexual violence associated with armed conflict in eastern DRC.
The commission of inquiry arises from a call by 79 Congolese, regional, and international rights organizations, aiming to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by combatants. It will also gather evidence of international crimes and identify those responsible for atrocities, enhancing accountability efforts for such violations. This commission signifies growing global acknowledgment of the imperative to confront the culture of impunity that has persisted in eastern Congo for many years.
The establishment of this commission represents a vital step toward compiling evidence and addressing the extensive injustices faced by victims and survivors of violence in the region. As the M23 controls areas where documenting abuses proves difficult due to their suppression of dissent, the UN human rights body aims to assure that these severe violations will be recognized and reported.
Furthermore, concerned governments are encouraged to augment this initiative by implementing emergency measures to protect civilians, especially the displaced. They should provide urgent assistance to victims, including those who have endured sexual violence. It is essential for these governments to advocate for Rwandan forces and the M23 to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Goma, and to urge all parties to cease hostilities against civilians.
The UN Human Rights Council’s unanimous decision to establish a commission of inquiry into atrocities in eastern DRC underlines a significant international commitment to combat impunity for human rights violations. This initiative aims to document serious abuses, support accountability, and provide necessary aid to affected civilians. The move marks a critical step toward justice and the betterment of violent conflict-affected areas in the region.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
