UN Human Rights Council UNHRC to Hold Special Session on Crisis in Goma

The U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will convene a special session on February 7, 2025, to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), recently seized by M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. This follows the DRC’s formal request for urgent international attention.

Human Rights Violations Amid the Conflict

The M23 rebellion has led to a surge in human rights violations, including:

Summary Executions: Civilians are being killed in cold blood by the M23 fighters.
Bombing of Displacement Camps: Refugees fleeing violence have been targeted, leading to further displacement and casualties.
Sexual Violence: There have been widespread reports of gang rapes and other forms of sexual violence.

The UN’s human rights office (OHCHR) has reported these grave violations as the conflict escalates.

Support for the Special Session

The DRC’s request for the session has been supported by 27 countries, surpassing the required third of the UNHRC’s 47 members. While the council’s decisions are not legally binding, the session holds significant political weight and could lead to international pressure on governments involved.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Goma, a mineral-rich city in the DRC, is at the center of the conflict, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Hospitals and morgues are overwhelmed by the rising death toll, and there are fears of disease outbreaks due to disrupted services and insufficient burial space.

International Tensions and Allegations Against Rwanda

The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and called for international sanctions against Rwanda. Rwanda denies these accusations. Tensions continue to rise, as the conflict threatens to escalate into a wider regional war similar to the devastating wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, which killed millions and involved multiple nations.

Potential for War Crimes Prosecutions

The special session may lead to a formal investigation into the human rights violations occurring in the region. Such investigations, mandated by the UNHRC, could eventually lead to prosecutions for war crimes in international courts.

“UNHRC to Hold Special Session on Crisis in Goma” “UNHRC to Hold Special Session on Crisis in Goma”