The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
DR Congo: Children executed in Bukavu, UN Human Rights office says
The UN Human Rights office, OHCHR, confirmed cases of summary execution of children by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia after they captured the provincial capital of Bukavu at the week-end.
At a scheduled press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR spokesperson said that the sharp deterioration of the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was “resulting in serious human rights violations and abuses, such as summary executions, including of children, and conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, attacks on hospitals and humanitarian warehouses, as well as threats against the judiciary”.
Confirming the reported execution of three children since the rebels took control of Bukavu, second major city in eastern Congo, Ms. Shamdasani said that the boys were between 11 and 15 years old and were allegedly using abandoned military uniforms and weapons. They were killed after apparently refusing to surrender their weapons to the M23 group, she said.
The UN human rights office has also documented cases of child and forced recruitment, inhumane treatment, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, intimidation and death threats. Ms. Shamdasani voiced concerns for journalists, human rights activists and members of civil society organizations who are seeking protection from reprisals by M23.
“We call on Rwanda and M23 to ensure that human rights and international humanitarian law are respected”, insisted Ms. Shamdasani.
During a special session on DRC on 7 February, the United Nations Human Rights Council launched a commission that will investigate atrocities, including rapes and killings that could amount to “summary executions” committed by both sides of the conflict since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, thousands of people fleeing the violence have arrived in Burundi.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), between 10,000 and 15,000 people have crossed into Burundi over the last few days. “The majority of those arriving are Congolese, mainly from the Bukavu area in South Kivu where the situation continues to deteriorate”, explained Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson. A smaller number of Burundian nationals have also returned to their country fleeing the clashes.
There are also reports of thousands arriving through unofficial border points, including along the Rusizi River near Rugombo, where several individuals drowned. Conditions in the communities near the border are extremely dire, with a lack of shelter, water and sanitation facilities.
The fall of Bukavu in the hands of the M23 rebels, a major city of 1.3 million people, follows the seizure of Goma, 101 kilometres to the north last month, where at least 3,000 were reported killed and thousands displaced. The M23 is the most prominent of over 100 armed groups fighting for the control of eastern Congo’s mineral wealth that is needed for global technology.
“The situation in the eastern DRC remains extremely challenging, with recent clashes in South Kivu forcing more than 150,000 people to flee”, said Mr. Saltmarsh. “At least 85,000 of these individuals are living in newly created spontaneous sites for internally displaced people, where basic services such as water, shelter and access to health services are in short supply”, he added.
Once registered, refugees are relocated to transit centres, where UNHCR and its partners are providing life-saving supplies including food, clean drinking water and essential health services. “However, overcrowding in transit centres, with some currently hosting up to four times their initial capacity, is becoming a major concern as resources are stretched, heightening tensions among the arrivals”, explained Mr. Saltmarsh.
The new influx joins the 91,000 refugees and asylum-seekers Burundi already hosts, mainly from the DRC, many of whom have been in the country for decades.
The UN Refugee Agency launched an appeal of $226 million for 2025 to respond to the protracted emergency in the DRC. It is currently 10 per cent funded.
Ends
Story: “Eastern DRC humanitarian update – UNHRC, OHCHR” – Tuesday 18 February 2025
Speakers are spokespersons:
- Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR
- Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR
TRT: 02’47”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 18 February 2025 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Geneva Press briefing
SHOTLIST
- Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley.
- Wide shot of the podium with speakers at the press conference room.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR spokesperson: “The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is deteriorating sharply, resulting in serious human rights violations and abuses, such as summary executions, including of children, and conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. There have also been attacks on hospitals and humanitarian warehouses, as well as threats against the judiciary."
- Wide shot of the press conference room.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR spokesperson: “Our office has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. We are also aware that children were in possession of weapons. We call on Rwanda and M23 to ensure that human rights and international humanitarian law are respected."
- Medium shot of speakers at the podium.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson: “Between 10,000 and 15,000 people have crossed into Burundi over the last few days, fleeing escalating tension and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The majority of those arriving are Congolese, mainly from the Bukavu area in South Kivu where the situation continues to deteriorate. A smaller number of Burundian nationals have also returned to their country fleeing the clashes.”
- Wide shot of the press conference room.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson: “The situation in the eastern DRC remains extremely challenging, with recent clashes in South Kivu forcing more than 150,000 people to flee. At least 85,000 of these individuals are living in newly-created spontaneous sites for internally displaced people, where basic services such as water, shelter and access to health services are in short supply.”
- Medium shot of cameramen filming.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson: “Once registered, refugees are relocated to transit centres, where UNHCR and its partners are providing life-saving supplies including food, clean drinking water and essential health services. However, overcrowding in transit centres, with some currently hosting up to four times their initial capacity, is becoming a major concern as resources are stretched, heightening tensions among the arrivals.”
- Medium shot of journalists in the press conference room.
- SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson: “The new influx joins the 91,000 refugees and asylum-seekers Burundi currently hosts, mainly from the DRC, many of whom have been in the country for decades.”
- Close up shot of journalist nodding.
- Medium shot of the audience and screens in the press conference room.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , IFRC , UN WOMEN , WHO
Nepal flood deaths near 1,000 as those spared struggle to survive – UN humanitarians
With the death toll in Nepal’s catastrophic flash floods inching towards 1,000, rescue workers are facing harsh conditions while survivors lack access to food, safe water and health care, humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNDRR , IFRC , WHO
Nepal: Flooding disaster “not over” as humanitarians work around the clock
While search and rescue efforts continued Friday following flash floods and mudslides in northern Nepal, UN humanitarians are taking stock of the devastation amid concerns over more flooding to come.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNIFIL
Damaged roads, disrupted services and renewed military activity are putting civilians at risk in south Lebanon, UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warns.
The UN peacekeeping mission is urging restraint and renewed political engagement to prevent further escalation.
1
1
1
Edited News | ICRC , UNODA
Amid unconfirmed reports that fully autonomous and AI-guided drones are now being used on the battlefield, UN chief António Guterres and the President of the Red Cross on Tuesday renewed their urgent call for stricter controls, before it is too late.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF
Somalia: child hunger surges as humanitarian aid dries up – UNICEF
The global funding crisis for vital lifesaving work is taking a growing toll on the most vulnerable children in Somalia, where hundreds of health and nutrition facilities have been forced to close, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
As the deadliest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s history continued spreading on Friday, UN responders renewed their urgent appeal for immediate international support, with existing funding for lifesaving work critically low.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
DRC: In the fight against Ebola, bikers transporting dead bodies hold key to community engagement - WHO
From the frontlines of the deadliest-ever Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) shared details on Tuesday of a massive push for community engagement, a day after yet another ambulance attack.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNFPA
Sudan: The harrowing reality of giving birth in a war zone
Sudanese women about to give birth are losing their babies and sometimes their own lives because of a lack of specialist healthcare support, amid the ongoing war, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WHO
Colombia earthquake: International teams ready to support, says UN
As earthquake rescue efforts across western Colombia continued on Tuesday, UN agencies said that they stood ready to help “with everything we've got” if and when the request came from the authorities.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | HRC
Myanmar's military has carried out a sustained campaign of deliberate attacks on civilians – including airstrikes on homes, schools and camps for displaced people, alongside arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence – Human Rights Council-appointed investigators said on Tuesday.
1
6
1
1
Edited News | UNOG
In a new twist on panda diplomacy, UN Geneva welcomed five young peacocks to the Palace of Nations on Friday, a gift of India that preserves a tradition of keeping the stately birds in the grounds, that predates both the global body and its ill-fated predecessor, the League of Nations.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
Afghanistan’s hunger crisis intensifies as millions go without food aid – WFP
Afghanistan’s dire hunger crisis now affects 14 million people including babies fed on weak tea and a little bread by their despairing and dirt-poor parents.
In a new alert on Tuesday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that one in three Afghans is now in the grip of acute food insecurity and that it lacks the resources to contain the deepening crisis.