UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on escalating violence in DRC

“I have been following the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo closely for many years. And what we see today worries me enormously. My office has long been sounding the alarm bells about this crisis, and I’m deeply disturbed to see the violence escalate yet again,” he said.

Addressing a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner said: “If nothing is done, then the worst may be yet to come for the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, but also beyond the country's borders. The risk of violence escalating throughout the subregion has never been more acute,” he said.

“Once again, civilians are trapped in a spiral of violence in this overwhelming conflict. Since 26 January almost 3,000 people have been killed, and thousands have been injured. And these numbers are probably much smaller than what has really happened,” he added.

“I'm horrified by the spread of sexual violence, which has become an appalling feature of this conflict for a very long time, and it is likely to worsen in the current circumstances. And I feel for the victims and the survivors who I've met when I was there last year,” the high Commissioner stated.

He stressed that it was essential to analyze the political economy of the conflict. “I have always been struck by the fact that the population in the DRC is suffering terribly, while many of the products we use, such as mobile phones, are created using minerals from the east of the country. We are all implicated in this” said Türk.

Speaking at the meeting, in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Chief called on both sides to embrace dialogue and to respect international law. ““I call on all parties to lay down their arms to resume dialogue within the Luanda and Nairobi processes. We must ensure, in this processes that there is meaningful participation of women and that is guaranteed. In the meantime, all parties to the conflict must respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The M23, the Rwandan forces, and all those supporting them must facilitate access to humanitarian aid.”

“In these circumstances, it's crucial to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice. An independent and impartial investigation must be undertaken into all the violations and abuses committed by all parties. I offer the support of my Office in this regard,” he said

“I reiterate the UN Secretary-General's call to the Rwanda Defence Force to cease all support for the M23 and to withdraw from the DRC. The military path is not the answer. All those with influence must act urgently to put an end to this tragic situation,” he added.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Seif Magango: +41 79 752 0488 / seif.magango@un.org

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights