Nearly One Million Displaced in Democratic Republic of Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Nearly a million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been displaced from their homes this year, according to UN human rights chief Volker Turk. Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Turk warned that the situation in the country is deteriorating rapidly, expressing concern over the increasing number of death sentences following the DRC’s lifting of its de facto moratorium on the death penalty.

Turk, who visited the DRC in April, described the country as facing an “explosive mix of escalating violence, regional and international interests, exploitative corporations, and weak rule of law.” He reported a rising number of human rights violations, with 85% of abuses occurring in the conflict-affected eastern region between June 1 of last year and this year. Armed groups are believed to be responsible for 61% of these violations, with around 700 new cases of sexual violence documented during this period.

“Armed groups abduct, hold captive, and subject women and girls to sexual slavery. Many have been killed after being raped. All cases are certainly not being reported. This is atrocious,” Turk stated. He further noted that humanitarian sources indicate 940,000 more people have been internally displaced this year, raising the total to over 6.4 million. Additionally, 23.4 million people are food insecure, lacking regular access to safe and nutritious food.

Turk expressed deep concern regarding the DRC’s decision to lift the moratorium on the death penalty in March, which had been in place since 2003. Since the lift, 128 men have been sentenced to death by military courts. “I urge the authorities to ensure that these sentences are not carried out,” he appealed.

While acknowledging the DRC’s rich natural resources, including minerals and the world’s second-largest rainforest, Turk criticized the illegal exploitation and illicit trade of these resources, often facilitated by corporations. He emphasized that this exploitation contributes to widespread poverty, stating, “The DRC is one of the five poorest nations in the world… this situation is unacceptable.”

Turk pointed out that the impact of this exploitation extends globally, with minerals from eastern DRC used in everyday products like mobile phones.

As the UN General Assembly convenes in New York, the DRC is among the five candidates vying for the five African seats on the Human Rights Council for a three-year term beginning next year.