The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has sounded the alarm over what he described as a rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), attributing grave abuses to the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
Speaking on Monday, June 16, before the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk said, “All parties to the conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces have committed human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law.”
His remarks were based on the preliminary findings of a fact-finding mission established by the Council four months ago.
The mission focused on events unfolding since January 2025 in the volatile eastern regions of the DRC, where fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese armed forces has intensified.
Türk specifically cited the M23’s January offensive near Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, accusing the group of using heavy artillery to attack densely populated urban neighbourhoods and camps for internally displaced people.
The violence resulted in widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
“When the DRC armed forces withdrew, there was a complete breakdown in the chain of command, control, and military discipline,” Türk stated, noting that both Congolese soldiers and members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia were killed, raped, and looted during the ensuing chaos.
The UN Human Rights Office has since launched further investigations into additional alleged violations of international humanitarian law, many of which, Türk warned, could constitute war crimes.
The eastern DRC has long been plagued by instability, with armed groups like the M23 accused of repeated atrocities.
The international community has expressed growing concern over the region’s humanitarian crisis, calling for accountability and protection of civilians caught in the crossfire.
The UN’s findings are expected to fuel further diplomatic pressure on regional powers, including Rwanda, which has consistently denied backing the M23 group despite mounting evidence and accusations.
