HRC - 37th Special Session - Situation of human rights in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Human Rights Council ‒ 37th Special Session
Situation of human rights in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Statement by Sweden on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states
7 February 2025
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic states.
We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence in eastern DRC. We urge the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately. We reiterate that Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its armed forces. We strongly condemn Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We continue to urge the DRC to cease its cooperation with the FDLR.
We are alarmed by reports of widespread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law by multiple actors, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and extrajudicial executions. The offensive has deepened the already disastrous humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. The risk of large numbers of IDP’s being caught between the conflicting parties is deeply worrying.
All sides must prioritize protection of civilians, ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and fully respect their obligations under international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law.
We call for all perpetrators of atrocity crimes to be held accountable. Impunity must not be allowed. We commend the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC’s renewed investigative efforts in the DRC, with a priority focus given to any alleged Rome Statute crimes occurring in eastern DRC since January 2022.
We fully support the work of the High Commissioner as well as the team of international experts on the DRC whose mandate was renewed at the 57th regular session of the HRC.
We call for a quick resumption of political dialogue and negotiations in the Luanda process and reiterate our support to the Nairobi process. We support the need to investigate and document all human rights abuses and violations in eastern Congo and identify those responsible.
I thank you.
