GENEVA
UN human rights experts on Thursday raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where renewed fighting between the M23 rebel group armed group and Congolese forces has led to mass displacement and civilian casualties.
At least 700,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, with over 900 killed and more than 2,000 injured in Goma and surrounding areas since early January, the experts said in a statement.
They criticized reports of indiscriminate attacks, targeted killings, conflict-related sexual violence, forced conscription, and arbitrary arrests of displaced persons.
“Despite the recent unilateral ceasefire, displaced persons have no safe haven left as the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC takes a deeply alarming turn,” they said, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on women and girls.
They also highlighted severe shortages of food, shelter, electricity, and drinking water, warning of the increased risk of disease outbreaks.
Overwhelmed medical facilities are struggling to treat the injured and provide support to survivors of sexual violence, while looting of humanitarian aid and restrictions on access exacerbate the crisis, the experts added.
Calling for urgent international intervention, the experts urged greater humanitarian support and accountability for rights violations. They demanded that all parties, including Rwanda, adhere to international law, with renewed efforts towards a negotiated settlement through regional peace initiatives.
“All parties must return to the negotiating table in good faith, for the future of regional peace and security,” they stressed.
