Human Rights Council 38: Enhanced Dialogue on DRC
This UK statement was delivered at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council during the discussion on Enhanced Dialogue on DRC
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
The UK shares the concerns of the International Team of Experts regarding the human rights situation in DRC. We have seen an increase in human rights violations across the country, and are particularly concerned by the situations in Ituri, Kivu, Tanganyika and the Kasais.
We commend the Team of Experts’ work to investigate the situation in the Kasais. We welcome the cooperation of the DRC authorities with this team, including the granting of access.
The initial findings of the investigation into the Kasais are troubling, with reports of human rights violations and abuses committed by the Kamuina Nsapu militia and the security forces. These include killings, mutilations and sexual violence, some of which, as reported by the Team of Experts, could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Although violence in the Kasais has declined, the situation is still volatile. It is therefore imperative that the Council remains seized of the situation and that the investigation is allowed to continue for as long as required, so that those responsible can be brought to justice and any reescalation of violence can be prevented.
DRC is experiencing a deep political, security and socio-economic crisis with serious repercussions for the protection and enjoyment of human rights in the country. To help address the root causes of violence and instability we call on the Government of DRC to implement fully the 31 December agreement and ensure that credible and inclusive elections take place by 23 December 2018.
We would like to ask the Team of Experts what cooperation they have had so far from the DRC government on the investigation of the murder of two UN experts in March 2017.