Jurist UN human rights chief decries M23 attacks against civilians in DRC

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The UN Human Rights Chief condemned on Wednesday the recent surge in deadly attacks by M23 fighters and other armed groups against civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which violated signed ceasefire agreements.

UN Chief Volker Turk stressed the importance of adherence to the peace process and the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of these acts of violence. He also urged all parties to cease attacks on civilians and fulfill their obligations under international law and called on the signatories of the declaration of principles to commit to and promote the peace process:

I urge the signatories and facilitators of both the Doha and Washington agreements to ensure that they quickly translate into safety, security, and real progress for civilians in the DRC, who continue to endure the devastating consequences of these conflicts.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that July recorded the highest number of civilian deaths since the resurgence of the M23 armed group in 2022. The M23 conducted attacks that resulted in the death of 319 civilians, predominantly local farmers, including women and children. Other armed groups, such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO), also reportedly committed atrocities against civilians, which included killings, destruction of homes and local shops, as well as sexual violence.

In an effort to restore peace and stability, the DRC government and the M23 signed a declaration of principles on July 19, committing to reach a final peace deal by August 18. This peace agreement must align with the US-brokered peace agreement signed by the DRC and Rwanda, aiming to end the conflict and resume bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve lasting peace in the region. The Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols prohibit violence against civilian populations and individuals in armed conflicts.

The UN has previously condemned the violent attacks against civilians carried out by armed non-state groups in the eastern DRC, which included raiding hospitals, kidnappings, sexual violence, and the military recruitment of children. In May, Amnesty International released a report indicating that the M23 committed human rights violations in detention sites under their control, which may amount to war crimes.

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