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
2
1
2
Statements , Conferences , Edited News | HRC
The UN’s top human rights forum gathered in Geneva on Monday, where Member States highlighted the growing civilian toll of war in the Middle East, sparked by Israeli and U.S. bombing of Iran, counter-strikes by Tehran against Gulf states and Israeli shelling of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response to attacks by the armed group.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNIFIL , UNFPA , IOM , UNHCR
As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC
Russia’s deportations of Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity: independent UN rights probe
Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA
The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war roiling the Middle East, at a time of severe cuts to the global body’s humanitarian work in emergencies and “soaring” needs.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO , UNHCR , UNICEF , WFP
Middle East war: UN warns of ‘toxic rain’ danger from oil depot strikes as mass displacement, aid supply shocks spread
Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to humanitarian supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Friday made the following remarks on Israel’s military ground incursions and displacement orders in Lebanon.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , IOM , WHO
The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk made the following remarks at a press stake out on the current situation in the Middle East.
“The crisis sparked in the Middle East one week ago following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Iran’s counterattacks, has been spreading like wildfire. It is causing significant damage in Iran, Israel and at least a dozen other countries, mostly in the Gulf, with risks of major economic and environmental ramifications across the world,” he said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Tuesday made the following remarks on the current situation in the Middle-East.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNHCR , WFP
Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced, aid routes compromised: UN humanitarians deplore effects of new Middle East war
On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM
Well over 1.3 million people have fled Sudan’s ongoing war for South Sudan, the UN migration agency, IOM, reported on Friday, amid rising violence and a massive humanitarian emergency linked to the country’s political crisis.
2
1
2
Statements , Conferences , Edited News | HRC , OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday presented to the 61st Human Rights Council his global update on the human rights situation.