UN experts report to Sanctions Committee on continued rights violations in DRC
The UN Security Council (‘UNSC’) Sanctions Committee has discussed a report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (‘DRC’), in which the UN’s Group of Experts painted a grim picture of events, citing the resumption of heavy fighting in North-Kivu province and ‘sustained violations of international humanitarian law.’
The Security Council has imposed DRC-related sanctions since 2003 in response to systematic violence against civilians and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, with the sanctions regime renewed by several subsequent UNSC resolutions.
‘During the briefing, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the findings and recommendations contained in the report, noting in particular the resumption of heavy fighting in North Kivu since January 2024 and its consequences on the region,’ a UNSC press release reported, 17 June.
‘The Coordinator also highlighted continued military support to armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continued illegal exploitation of natural resources, and sustained violations of international humanitarian law as well as violations and abuses of human rights, including the recruitment and use of children,’ it said.
The Sanctions Committee also held a separate meeting, 3 June, in which ‘Committee members expressed concerns about the continued illegal exploitation of natural resources and its impact on instability in the DRC,’ it added.
In addition, committee members were briefed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (‘OECD’) ‘on progress and remaining challenges in responsible sourcing’ of gold, tin and tungsten and ‘ongoing work with law enforcement agencies in countries that produce and consume mineral resources.’
