United Nations (UN) experts call for urgent humanitarian relief and a political solution to protect civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
UN experts today expressed serious concern about the emergency protection needs of the mineral-rich Eastern Democratic Republic (DRC) in the Congo and the urgent living conditions of the terrible civilians. The hostilities between Rwanda-backed M23 armed groups and the armed forces of the Democratic Congo have been strengthened, with at least 700,000 people displaced, killing at least 900 people, with the support of allied militias and mercenaries and related participants, since early January At least 900 people have been injured in and around Goma. .
“We extend our heartfelt support and solidarity to hundreds of thousands affected by the conflict, many of whom are already in protracted displacement,” the experts said.
“We express profound alerts on reports of promiscuous attacks and targeted killings of civilians, including incidents of sexual violence based on their race, summary executions, conflicts against women and girls, civilians being forced to constitution and labor, and being misled arbitrary arrests of displaced persons who believe rebels. We also call for special attention to the deterioration of indigenous dwarf peoples. We require all parties to comply with their obligations under international law.”
Fierce battles took place in densely populated urban areas and near camps. At least two camps were blown up. As families fled the conflict, several displacement sites were partially or completely empty, while others were forcibly closed by M23 because M23 blatantly violated IDPS’s secure, voluntary and dignified solutions. Because overcrowded displacement camps cannot meet the influx and protection needs of people, many IDPs are forced to appear in temporary tents or in public.
“Despite the recent unilateral ceasefire, there is no safe haven for displaced people because the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the East Congo has undergone a shocking shift in which women and girls are represented disproportionately,” the experts said.
“There are serious shortages of food and shelters. They have no electricity or drinking water, which increases the risk of infectious diseases in areas prone to epidemics,” they said. “Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed to adequately care for the injured, deal with the dead, and treat survivors of gender-based violence. Humanitarian facilities and widespread predation of humanitarian visits have complicated the situation.”
Experts urge the international community to step up efforts and funding to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect and assist displaced persons, while stressing the appropriate investigation and accountability of the illegal acts committed and long-term political solutions to end this cycle of violence and Displaced.
“With the support of the international community, thousands of displaced Congolese continue to endure unimaginable hardships, yearning for peace and rebuilding their lives,” the experts said.
“It is necessary to provide strong support not only for the humanitarian response, but also for the Nairobi and Lulanda processes to promote the outcome of inclusive negotiations on conflicts and to ensure responsibility and corrective measures violate international law and crime efforts against civilian lives, including through the reinvestigation of the International Criminal Court and the upcoming special meeting of the Commission on Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
Experts call on the M23 to stop further military progress, especially Bukaf, who seeks asylum to thousands of internally displaced people. They called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to strengthen efforts to protect and assist displaced persons, and with the Secretary-General, they called on Rwanda to stop supporting M23 and evacuate the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“All parties must return to the negotiating table with sincerity in order to serve as a future for regional peace and security,” they said.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
