UN HRC Special Session: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geneva, 7 February 2025
The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) today held a special session to address the deteriorating human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Opening Statement
The session was opened by HRC President Federico Villegas, who expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and human rights violations in the DRC. He highlighted the urgent need for international action to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable.
Briefing by High Commissioner
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presented a chilling account of the situation on the ground, describing widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence.
He emphasized that the ongoing conflict between the Congolese army and rebel groups had led to massive displacement and a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in urgent need of assistance.
Statements by Member States
Member states strongly condemned the human rights violations and called for an end to the violence. They urged the Congolese government to protect its citizens and investigate and prosecute those responsible for the abuses.
- The United States condemned the continued use of child soldiers and called for the release of all illegally detained children.
- The United Kingdom emphasized the need for accountability and urged the Congolese government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- France expressed its support for the ongoing UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC and called for additional resources to strengthen its mandate.
Recommendations
The HRC adopted a resolution that:
- Urged the Congolese government to immediately cease all human rights violations and hold perpetrators accountable.
- Called for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to investigate the violations and identify those responsible.
- Requested the High Commissioner to continue monitoring the situation and report regularly to the HRC.
- Encouraged the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and support efforts to promote peace and reconciliation.
Closing Remarks
President Villegas closed the session by reiterating the HRC’s commitment to addressing the human rights crisis in the DRC and urged all parties to work towards a sustainable and just resolution.
Background
The DRC has been plagued by armed conflict for decades, with rebel groups operating in the eastern part of the country. The recent surge in violence has been attributed to competition for mineral resources, power struggles, and external interference.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on the population, with millions of people forced to flee their homes and thousands killed or injured. Women and children have been particularly affected, with reports of widespread sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers.
UN HRC Special Session: Democratic Republic of the Congo
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK News and communications a new article on 2025-02-07 00:00 titled “UN HRC Special Session: Democratic Republic of the Congo”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
125