DR Congo - Human Rights Council Special Session
/
4:22
/
MP4
/
323.4 MB
Download

Edited News | HRC

DR Congo - Human Rights Council Special Session

UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday expressed profound concerns at the ongoing violent escalation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) caused by the ongoing Rwanda-backed M23 offensive. “If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders,” he told a Special Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Since 26 January, nearly 3,000 people have been killed and 2,880 injured in attacks by the M23 and their allies “with heavy weapons used in populated areas, and intense fighting against the armed forces of the DRC and their allies”, the High Commissioner said, as UN Member States weighed setting up a fact-finding mission to investigate extreme rights violations still being committed in the DRC provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.

Hostilities have continued unabated in this mineral-rich region that has been unstable for decades amid a proliferation of armed groups, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Fighting escalated in late January when majority-Tutsi M23 fighters seized control of parts of North Kivu, including areas near Goma, and advanced towards South Kivu and the eastern DRC’s second city of Bukavu.

A draft resolution circulated before the Special Session – the 37th since the Council was created in 2006 - also condemned Rwanda’s military support of the M23 armed group and called for both Rwanda and M23 to halt their advance and to allow lifesaving humanitarian access immediately.

Hospitals targeted

Addressing the emergency session, Mr. Türk noted that two hospitals in Goma had been bombed on 27 January, killing and injuring multiple patients, including women and children.

In a mass prison break at Muzenze Prison in Goma on the same day, at least 165 female inmates were reportedly raped and most were later killed in a fire under suspicious circumstances, he said, citing the authorities.

“I am horrified by the spread of sexual violence, which has been an appalling feature of this conflict for a long time. This is likely to worsen in the current circumstances,” the UN rights chief continued, adding that UN staff were now verifying multiple allegations of rape, gang rape and sexual slavery in eastern DRC’s conflict zones.

MONUSCO role

Echoing those concerns, Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC and chief of UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) told the Council that dead bodies still lie in the streets of Goma, which M23 fighters now control. The situation is “catastrophic”, she continued.

While I am speaking, youth are being subjected to forced recruitments and human rights defenders, civil society actors and journalists have also become a major population at risk. MONUSCO continues to receive requests for individual protection from them as well as from judicial authorities under threat and at risk of reprisals from M23 in areas under its control.”

She issued a stark warning on the health risks linked to ongoing fighting, “especially the resurgence of cholera and the high risk of mpox, the sudden interruption of children's schooling, and the rise of conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence”.

According to latest reports, medical personnel face electricity cuts and lack fuel for their generators for basic services, including morgues, Ms. Keita continued. “I again call on international community to advocate for humanitarian assistance to reach Goma immediately.”

Countries respond

In response to the ongoing crisis, DRC’s Minister of Communications and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, spoke out against the continued logistical, military and financial support of countries including Rwanda “to armed groups operating on our territory”.

The minister maintained that Rwanda's support for the M23 had fuelled the violence in eastern DRC “for more than 30 years, exacerbating the war for reasons linked to the exploitation of the strategic mining resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo”.

Dismissing that claim, Ambassador James Ngango of Rwanda to the UN in Geneva, insisted that a large-scale attack against Rwanda was “imminent”.

He accused the “Kinshasa-backed coalition” of stockpiling a large number of weapons and military equipment near Rwanda’s border, mostly in or around Goma airport.

“These weapons include rockets, kamikaze drones, heavy artillery guns capable of shooting precisely within the Rwandan territory. The weapons were not turned at the theatre of operations against the M23, rather they were pointed directly at Rwanda,” he said.

‘We are all implicated’

Highlighting the need for international efforts to end the long-running conflict, Mr. Türk called for greater understanding of the political and economic background.

The population in the eastern DRC is suffering terribly, while many of the products we consume or use, such as mobile phones, are created using minerals from the east of the country. We are all implicated.”

STORY: US humanitarian funding - OCHA, UNFPA

TRT: 04 min 22s
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 07 FEBRUARY 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Speakers:

  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
  • Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO
  • Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communications and Media, DR Congo
  • Ambassador James Ngango, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations in Geneva and other international organizations in Geneva

SHOTLIST

  1. Exterior wide shot: Palais des Nations, Flag Alley.
  2. Medium shot of the podium with screen showing High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council Volker Türk speaking.
  3. SOUNDBITE (French) - Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: "Je suis horrifié par la propagation de violences sexuelles, qui sont un élément effroyable de ce conflit depuis longtemps. Ils risquent de s’aggraver dans les circonstances actuelles." / "I am horrified by the spread of sexual violence, which has been an appalling feature of this conflict for a long time. This is likely to worsen in the current circumstances."
  4. SOUNDBITE (French) - Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: "Si rien n’est fait, le pire est peut-être encore à venir pour les habitants de l’est, mais aussi au-delà de la RDC." / "If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders."
  5. Medium shot of the podium showing the speakers.
  6. SOUNDBITE (English) - Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO): “While I am speaking, youth are being subjected to forced recruitments and human rights defenders, civil society actors and journalists have also become a major population at risk. MONUSCO continues to receive requests for individual protection from them as well as from judicial authorities under threat and at risk of reprisals from M23 in areas under its control.”
  7. Wide shot of the Human Rights Council room showing ceiling and seated delegates.
  8. SOUNDBITE (French) - Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO): « Ces combats en zone densément peuplée ont causé la mort d’au moins 2,900 personnes et plus de 3,000 blessés. Les conséquences à moyen et long terme m’inquiètent, surtout la résurgence du choléra et le risque élevé de Mpox, l’interruption brusque de la scolarité des enfants, et la multiplication des violences sexuelles liées au conflit et des violences basés sur le genre. » / The fighting in densely populated areas has caused the deaths of at least 2,900 people and injured more than 3,000. I am concerned about the medium and long-term consequences, especially the resurgence of cholera and the high risk of Mpox, the sudden interruption of children's schooling, and the rise of conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence.”
  9. Medium pan shot of delegates
  10. SOUNDBITE (English) - Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO): “I reiterate that the humanitarian situation in Goma is catastrophic. The decomposing bodies collected from the streets of Goma prompted WHO to warn of potential epidemics. Medical personnel are facing electricity cuts and lack fuel for their generators. They work under extremely difficult conditions, when ensuring the treatment of patients and the functioning of morgues. I again call on international community to advocate for humanitarian assistance to reach Goma immediately."
  11. Wide shot of the Human Rights Council room showing ceiling and seated delegates.
  12. SOUNDBITE (French) - Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communications and Media, DR Congo: « Nous rejetons fermement l’implication continue de certains États, notamment le Rwanda, dans le soutien logistique, militaire et financier à des groupes armés opérant sur notre territoire. Le soutien du Rwanda au M23, documenté à plusieurs reprises, y compris le groupe d'experts mandatés par le Conseil de Sécurité des Nations Unies, a alimenté la violence dans l'est de notre pays depuis plus de 30 ans, exacerbant la guerre pour des raisons liées à l'exploitation de ressources minières stratégiques de la République Démocratique du Congo. » / "We firmly reject the continued involvement of some states, including Rwanda, in providing logistical, military and financial support to armed groups operating on our territory. Rwanda's support for the M23, which has been documented on several occasions, including by the group of experts mandated by the United Nations Security Council, has fuelled the violence in the east of our country for more than 30 years, exacerbating the war for reasons linked to the exploitation of the strategic mining resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo."
  13. SOUNDBITE (English) – Ambassador James Ngango, ambassador of Rwanda to the United Nations in Geneva, told an emergency meeting of the Human Rights Council: "The Kinshasa-backed coalition has stockpiled a large number of weapons and military equipment near Rwanda’s border, mostly in or around Goma airport. These weapons include rockets, kamikaze drones, heavy artillery guns capable of shooting precisely within the Rwandan territory. The weapons were not turned at the theatre of operations against the M23, rather they were pointed directly at Rwanda. »
  14. Medium shot of podium showing Mr. Türk speaking and Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber.
  15. SOUNDBITE (French) - Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council: « Il est aussi fondamental d’analyser l’économie politique de ce conflit. J’étais toujours frappé par le fait que la population de l’est souffre terriblement, tandis que beaucoup de produits qu’on consomme ou qu’on utilise, comme les téléphones portables, sont nourris par les minéraux de l’est. Nous sommes donc impliqués toutes et tous. » / "It is also essential to analyze the political economy of this conflict. I have always been struck by the fact that the population in the eastern DRC is suffering terribly, while many of the products we consume or use, such as mobile phones, are created using minerals from the east of the country. We are all implicated."
  16. Close-up shot of DRC delegate.
  17. Medium shot of delegates listening, taking notes.
  18. Medium shot of delegates showing Rwandan delegate listening.


Audio Files 1
Download DR Congo - Human Rights Council Special Session (Edited Story)
Download

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO ENG FRA

Ukraine: ‘Relentless’ attacks rattle health system as winter approaches: WHO

Ambulances attacked, chronically ill patients lacking care and no peace in sight: for millions of Ukrainians, the run-up to another winter of war is just the latest life-or-death challenge they face, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his report on Sri Lanka to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity ENG FRA

A UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo raises specter of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu, according to UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025 ENG FRA

As billions of people continue to breathe polluted air that causes more than 4.5 million premature deaths every year, UN climate experts on Friday highlighted how damaging microscopic smoke particles from wildfires play their part, travelling half-way across the world.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence made the following comment on the on-going presidential election process in Cameroon at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office released a new report on Myanmar, describing death, destruction and desperation which reflect atrocities committed in 2017. 

Afghanistan earthquake update OCHA - IFRC - UNHCR

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , IFRC , UNHCR

Afghanistan earthquake update OCHA - IFRC - UNHCR ENG FRA

Afghanistan: Humanitarians scramble to reach survivors of deadly quake; response at ‘breaking point’

In remote eastern Afghanistan, aid workers are racing to assist survivors of Sunday’s devastating earthquake as the death toll continues to climb, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.