UN Experts Condemn “Extreme” Violence by M23 Against Human Rights Defenders

EASTERN DRC February 26, 2026 - United Nations experts have issued a strong warning over the escalating human rights violations perpetrated by the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebellion against human rights defenders in North and South Kivu provinces. The experts cited assassination attempts, repeated kidnappings, torture, sexual violence, and death threats targeting those who document abuses, support communities, or denounce violations. In a statement released in Geneva during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the experts emphasized that human rights defenders in eastern DRC are facing unbearable risks, particularly women and members of the LGBT community, who are subjected to heightened threats of sexual violence and torture. Between November 2025 and February 2026, multiple defenders were reportedly targeted. Two women advocating against forced civilian expulsions in Uvira were abducted and tortured, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Another woman defending LGBT rights suffered repeated abductions and severe torture. A human rights defender in Goma was forced into hiding after threats and attacks on his family, while another defender received death threats and was assaulted at home. The experts stressed that even when violations are committed by non-state armed groups, the State has a legal obligation under international human rights law to protect all persons under its jurisdiction. They called on authorities to investigate abuses promptly, provide medical and psychosocial support, and ensure that human rights defenders can operate safely. “Human rights defenders are not combatants. They are essential actors for justice, accountability, and peace. Silencing them through fear and brutality undermines prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC,” the experts stated. This warning follows a recent government report documenting 17,015 cases of human rights violations in Goma, North Kivu, and Bukavu, South Kivu, which was presented to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. The government has pledged to intensify international advocacy and ensure accountability for these abuses. The UN experts’ statement highlights the urgent need for protection, accountability, and respect for the ceasefire, as ongoing attacks on human rights defenders threaten both the humanitarian situation and the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.