HRC58: Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo

The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council

24 February - 4 April 2025

Item 10: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's oral update on Democratic Republic of the Congo

1 April 2025

By Jui Dharwadkar / GICJ

Executive Summary 

The Enhanced Interactive Dialogue addressed the deteriorating human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the conflict-affected eastern regions. Ongoing violence, sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, mass displacement, and the recruitment of child soldiers continue to devastate communities, with over 600 extrajudicial executions reported in recent months. Armed groups like the M23 and foreign interference remain central to the crisis, while weak institutions and delayed reforms hinder justice and protection for civilians.

High-level contributions from the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Team of International Experts, and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General emphasized the need to address root causes, restore state authority, and strengthen justice systems. The High Commissioner’s report, under Resolution 57/34, recommended enhanced forensic capacities, implementation of transitional justice mechanisms, and improved detention conditions. 

Various delegations expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict, called for peace, urged withdrawal of foreign forces, and supported various diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Civil society groups echoed these concerns, calling for the protection of human rights defenders, abolition of the death penalty, and inclusive dialogue, particularly for women and marginalized groups.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) strongly condemns the ongoing impunity and calls for urgent, coordinated action. GICJ urges the Council to support an independent fact-finding mission, ensure justice for survivors of sexual violence, protect human rights defenders, and provide sustained assistance to implement the National Transitional Justice Policy and the Kinshasa Declaration. GICJ reaffirms its commitment to defending victims' rights and promoting accountability and sustainable peace in the DRC.

Background

The Enhanced Interactive Dialogue (EID) on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is convened under Agenda Item 10 of the Human Rights Council, focusing on technical assistance and capacity-building. This dialogue provides a platform for the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Team of International Experts to present updates on the human rights situation in the DRC, facilitating engagement with member states, civil society, and other stakeholders.

The DRC has endured decades of conflict, particularly in its eastern regions, leading to widespread human rights violations, including mass atrocities, sexual violence, and the recruitment of child soldiers. In response, the UNHRC has established mechanisms to monitor and report on these issues, with the EID serving as a critical forum for assessing progress and challenges in the country's human rights landscape. The primary objective of the EID is to assess the human rights situation in the DRC, identify ongoing challenges, and discuss strategies for improvement. It aims to support the DRC in implementing effective measures to protect human rights, promote accountability, and strengthen institutional frameworks. The dialogue also seeks to enhance international cooperation and support for the DRC's efforts in addressing human rights concerns.

Key participants in the EID include the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Team of International Experts on the DRC, representatives from the DRC government, UN member states, regional organizations, and civil society groups. Notable figures such as Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, and Bacre Waly Ndiaye, President of the Team of International Experts, have contributed to the dialogue, providing insights and recommendations. Recent EID sessions have highlighted the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the DRC, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Reports indicate an increase in human rights violations, including sexual violence, attacks on civilians, and the displacement of populations. Despite some progress in prosecuting perpetrators, challenges persist in ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable communities. The international community continues to urge the DRC government to intensify efforts to address these issues and to engage in regional peace initiatives such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

Summary of the OHCHR Resolution on Technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 57/34, this report was prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, focusing on technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With particular emphasis on the eastern provinces and conflict-affected areas, the report underscores the significance of strengthening justice systems, combating impunity, and promoting transitional justice to advance peace and protect fundamental rights. The report highlights the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in regions such as Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika, where ongoing armed conflict has led to atrocities including sexual and gender-based violence, recruitment of child soldiers, and mass displacement. It points to delays in judicial reform, overcrowded prisons, and a lack of effective oversight as critical impediments to justice and institutional accountability.

Despite these challenges, the report acknowledges notable progress—such as the adoption of Act No. 22/065 (2022) on protections and reparations for victims of sexual violence, and efforts by the Armed Forces to prevent child recruitment. Furthermore, the DRC government’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms signal a commitment to reforms. The report outlines strategies to strengthen the justice system, including operationalising the National Transitional Justice Policy and revitalising mechanisms like the provincial Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission. The report calls for support in forensic medicine capacity-building, referencing the Kinshasa Declaration as a roadmap for reform.

Key approaches identified include improving detention conditions, enhancing judicial oversight, ensuring inclusive access to justice, and embedding human rights protections in the extractive sector. Regional efforts, such as the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, are commended as vital to restoring stability in the Great Lakes region. To ensure progress, the report recommends the following actions:

• institutionalise transitional justice frameworks, including legal and policy tools to support truth, reparation, and accountability, with particular focus on vulnerable populations;
• enhance forensic and investigative capacities through technical support and international collaboration to pursue justice in cases of sexual violence and child exploitation;
• support national and local reconciliation efforts by strengthening commissions and civil society cooperation, particularly in regions like Kasai-Central;
• ensure inclusive development by integrating human rights and transitional justice into broader peace and development strategies; and
• secure international assistance, both financial and technical, to support long-term reforms, especially in transitional justice, human rights protection, and judicial capacity-building.

The resolution renews the mandate of the team of international experts for one year and calls for continued reporting and evaluation at the Council’s future sessions. It affirms the UN’s sustained engagement with the DRC in pursuing justice, peace, and protection of human rights amidst ongoing challenges.

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue

Opening Statements

To begin with the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Claudia Fuentes Julio, opened the 52nd meeting of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, acknowledging the delegation of Thailand's request to proceed with a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. 

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, provided a detailed overview of the human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo where she highlighted that 602 people had been victims of extrajudicial executions. She emphasised the need to tackle the root causes of the conflict and called for accountability and international action. 

The team of international experts in the DRC, represented by Ms. Marie-Therese Keita-Bocoum, discussed the impact of the M23 and the Rwanda Defense Forces attacks and highlighted the consequential widespread humanitarian crisis and displacement. She advocated for a restoration of state authority and a roadmap for addressing human rights amidst transitional justice. 

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in the DRC and head of the MONUSCO, Ms. Bintou Keita, spoke with urgency about the worsening conflict, highlighting the continued human right violations in the region with increased prison breaks, sexual violence and attacks on civilians. She emphasised the need for accountability and international support. 

Ms. Julienne Lusenge, President of Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development, affirmed that the situation experienced on the ground is indescribable. Despite Congolese fighting to promote human rights, the current situation has brought them back to the starting point, as people do not know whether they will have food, water or if they will wake up alive on the following day. She said that the Congolese are unjustly paying the price for the Rwandan genocide. Moreover, she described Congolese coexistence with Tutsi as civic and peaceful. Nevertheless, she condemned the governments in the area, especially the Rwandan one, for creating tensions and destroying the social fabric that keeps people and tribes together. Finally, she blamed impunity as the main reason behind the current levels of violence. 

Statement of the Concerned Country

The Minister for Human Rights of the DRC, Ms. Chantal Chambu Mwavita denounced Rwanda and its proxies’ occupation of the East provinces of Congo. She described a long list of human rights violations, including the killing of thousands of civilians, sexual violence, conscription of children, summary executions, forced labor and attacks against internally displaced people, human rights defenders and members of the UN peacekeeping mission. 

She then recalled the provision of the resolution adopted at the end of the 37th Special Session of the HRC on 7 February 2025 on the situation of human rights in East DRC, which condemned Rwanda’s military occupation of territory and plundering of natural resources. However, the Minister stated with regret that, in spite of the resolution, the situation on the ground has only worsened since the end of January. As of now, more than 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. 

Ms. Chambu Mwavita, then, turned the attention to the OHCHR fact-finding mission, calling countries to provide adequate support for it to become operational and effective. She stated that the DRC’s government is distributing reports translated in Swahili for the population to report violations to the mission. 

Finally, the Minister focused on the DRC’s government collaboration with the UN human rights mechanism, including the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, and with regional initiatives. Moreover, she stressed the government’s support for human rights defenders fleeing the East Provinces affected by the conflict. 

Country and Regional Statements

The delegate of Rwanda accused the DRC’s government of being the main perpetrator of human rights violation in the region. He identified the consistent lack of political will of the DRC as a key driver of human right violations. Moreover, he added that the action of the FDLR (a Hutu militia partly responsible for the Rwandan genocide) and of European mercenaries recruited by the DRC is further destabilising the region. He reiterated that acts of persecution, hate speech and even cannibalism against the Congolese must stop immediately. 

The delegate of the European Union expressed deep concern about the ongoing violence and condemned the M23 offensive. She called for M23 withdrawal and an end to foreign forces' presence in the DRC. This position was also upheld by the delegate of Japan who emphasized the need to respect international law and enhance humanitarian access through cooperation. 

Drawing on the urgency and sensitivity of the issue, certain countries suggested robust steps to be taken to address the adversity. 

The delegate of Egypt condemned all acts of violence. While they supported peaceful efforts, they underscored the need for the immediate protection of civilians. 

The delegate of Belgium supported cooperation for an independent mission inquiry under the guide of the Council, supported human rights investigation and reiterated the duty of authorities to promote peace. 

The delegate of South Sudan commended the Human Rights Council for achieving significant success in upholding laws and establishing reparations in grave human rights violations and encroachment on rights of indigenous people. He called on the international community to step up financial support and capacity building to enhance the transitional justice process in the DRC and address dire challenges like humanitarian assistance for the displaced population. 

The delegate of South Africa reiterated its call for immediate cessation of hostilities and implementation of recent commitments made by countries. She emphasised withdrawal of all unwanted forces and highlighted that sustainable peace could be achieved through inclusive dialogue. She concluded by recalling the country’s support for the people of DRC and their right over its territorial integrity. 

Statements from Non-Governmental Organisations

Several national and international organisations delivered statements highlighting grave human rights concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the context of ongoing conflict and systemic abuses. Some NGOs expressed alarm over the threats faced by human rights defenders and judicial workers, especially in regions under the control of armed groups like M23 and the Armed Forces Coalition (AFC). They urgently called for international support to protect these at-risk professionals. Similarly, other groups advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, urging Congolese authorities to uphold constitutional guarantees and international obligations, and to commute all existing death sentences.

A joint statement by some civil society organisations demanded an immediate ceasefire and condemned widespread human rights violations. Their key demands included independent investigations, prosecution of perpetrators, and the withdrawal of Rwandan and the M23 forces from occupied territories. They also called for the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to ensure accountability. Additionally, other representatives emphasised the importance of justice and psychosocial support for women and children affected by the conflict. They also stressed the need for meaningful participation of women in peace dialogues and enhanced protections for vulnerable communities.

Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) reiterates its deep concern over the grave and widespread human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern provinces. The Enhanced Interactive Dialogue presents a critical platform for addressing the alarming situation in the DRC, which continues to deteriorate due to protracted conflict, foreign interference, and institutional fragility. In line with our longstanding commitment to defending the rights of victims and promoting justice and accountability, GICJ stands in solidarity with the affected populations of the DRC.

GICJ notes with particular alarm the disturbing escalation of violence documented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including at least 602 extrajudicial executions and targeted attacks against civilians, women, and children. Armed groups such as the M23, often backed by foreign actors, continue to perpetrate atrocities with impunity, leading to mass displacement and the destruction of already limited infrastructure. The current conflict has intensified the vulnerability of human rights defenders, judicial workers, and humanitarian actors operating in conflict-affected zones.

GICJ urges the Human Rights Council and member states to swiftly establish an independent fact-finding mission, ensure justice and reparations for survivors of sexual violence, strengthen protections for human rights defenders, and provide sustained support to implement the National Transitional Justice Policy and the Kinshasa Declaration on forensic capacity-building. 

GICJ firmly believes that a peaceful and just resolution to the crisis in the DRC is possible only through a rights-based, inclusive, and accountable approach. The Council must adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards impunity, enhance support for transitional justice processes, and guarantee the meaningful inclusion of women and local civil society in peacebuilding. As long as the suffering of the Congolese people continues, GICJ will remain a committed advocate for justice, accountability, and the unwavering protection of human dignity in the DRC.

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