Un commission outlines mission to investigate human rights violations in eastern drc

The United Nations Independent Investigative Commission, established to examine the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu and North Kivu provinces, delivered its inaugural official update on Monday, June 29, 2026. This presentation took place during the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, following the Commission’s initial mission to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission, President Arnauld Akodjenou addressed member states, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and representatives from the DRC government. He confirmed that this initial mission underscored the exceptional gravity of the situation in the Eastern DRC and highlighted the critical need for a credible, independent, and victim-centered investigation.

According to Akodjenou, the Commission engaged in dialogue with survivors, high-ranking government officials, civil society actors, various United Nations entities, diplomats, and the national human rights institution.

“Although we were unable to travel to Goma during this first mission, we met with individuals and organizations from Goma and other areas within our mandate while in Kinshasa. We intend to intervene directly in North and South Kivu as soon as conditions allow. The information gathered reveals a multidimensional crisis affecting civilians, exacerbated by population displacement, disease, weakened institutions, and a complex regional context,” stated Arnauld Akodjenou.

During the mission, he reported receiving deeply troubling testimonies concerning children, conflict-related sexual violence, including sexual slavery, forced recruitment, unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, attacks on schools and health facilities, as well as ill-treatment and detention practices that disregard the rule of law.

“We also heard accounts of illegal roadblocks, alleged taxes, obstruction of humanitarian access, and threats against human rights defenders, journalists, and others monitoring or reporting violations. These challenges are further compounded by the persistent threat of Ebola,” he added on behalf of the Commission.

Specifically addressing the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and its affected population, Akodjenou affirmed that the Commission fully recognized the severity of the crisis plaguing the DRC and the suffering endured by civilians in North Kivu, South Kivu, and beyond. He reassured them that the Commission’s objective was solely to independently and impartially establish the facts, without targeting any particular state or community.

“Our mandate is not directed against any state, community, or institution. It aims to establish facts with independence, rigor, and impartiality; to preserve evidence; to contribute to the fight against impunity; and to formulate useful recommendations for preventing further violations. At this stage, we are not prejudging facts or responsibilities. However, the information received is of extreme gravity. It demands an independent and methodical investigation, conducted under conditions that protect victims, witnesses, human rights defenders, journalists, and all individuals likely to collaborate with the Commission,” the Commission’s President emphasized.

The Independent Investigative Commission on the human rights situation in the provinces of South Kivu and North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 7, 2025, during an extraordinary session dedicated to the human rights situation in the eastern part of the country.

Resolution S-37/1 tasked the Commission with investigating the facts, circumstances, and root causes of all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. This includes particular attention to abuses affecting women and children, incidents constituting sexual or gender-based violence, and violations committed against displaced persons or refugees.

It is also charged with examining potential international crimes within the context of the recent escalation of hostilities, which began in January 2025 and continues to plague the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.