A new report by the UN Human Rights Office has found that the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), and other militias committed serious human rights violations in eastern DR Congo that may amount to war crimes.
According to the report, M23 carried out summary executions, torture, and enforced disappearances, while the Congolese army and allied militias were responsible for abuses including mass rape and the deliberate killing of civilians.
The document also cited evidence indicating that M23 rebels received operational support and training from the Rwandan army.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the acts as “horrific” and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
The findings come amid escalating fighting that has already killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands, raising fears of a wider war in the mineral-rich region.
