Situation of human rights in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This resolution is highly critical of the human rights situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The condemnation is directed at the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan armed forces who are supporting that group. The resolution expressly condemns the support provided by the Rwandan Defense Forces to M23. Furthermore, it demands that the Rwandan Defense Forces cease its support of M23 and "urgently withdraw" from DRC territory.
• The resolution creates an urgent fact-finding mission to be followed by an independent commission of inquiry.
• Both the special session and the resolution were initiated by the Democratic Republic of Congo, further indicating that these proceedings are not condemnatory towards Democratic Republic of Congo.

Main Sponsors

Democratic Republic of Congo

Vote

Consensus

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Condemns in the strongest possible terms the persistent violations and abuses of human rights and the violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law being committed in the Provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo…."
• "Condemns the unlawful exploitation of natural resources, particularly in North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces, and demands that all armed groups and their networks immediately cease all forms of natural resource exploitation and trafficking…"
• "Strongly condemns the military and logistical support provided by the Rwanda Defence Force to the Mouvement du 23 mars…"
• "Demands that the Mouvement du 23 mars immediately cease all hostile actions in and withdraw from the occupied areas and that the Rwanda Defence Force cease its support of the Mouvement du 23 mars and urgently withdraw from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo…"
• "Recalls that attacks against civilians, including United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers, may constitute war crimes…"
• "Urges the Mouvement du 23 mars and Rwanda to guarantee immediate, full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as access to Goma airport, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches all those in need…"
• "Strongly deplores the reported killings, attacks, arbitrary detention of and acts of intimidation, and retaliation against humanitarian and health workers, human rights defenders, community leaders, public servants or local government workers, journalists and other media workers, students and lawyers and other civil society actors, and against members of international organizations and the diplomatic community…"
• "Condemns the forced recruitment of child soldiers…"
• "Decides to urgently establish a fact-finding mission on the serious violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed in the Provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo."
• "Decides to also establish an independent commission of inquiry, composed of three experts in international human rights law and international humanitarian law, to be appointed as soon as possible by the President of the Human Rights Council, to continue the work undertaken by the fact-finding mission of the High Commissioner following the submission of its comprehensive report, with the same mandate as the fact-finding mission…"