UN reports nearly one million displaced in DR Congo this year
International news section 09-10-2024
UN Rights Chief Volker Turk warns that over 23.4 million people in the DRC are now food insecure, lacking access to sufficient and nutritious food.
The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, sounded the alarm on Tuesday over the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where nearly one million people have been displaced from their homes this year alone.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Turk expressed grave concerns about the escalating violence, widespread human rights abuses, and the country’s decision to lift a moratorium on the death penalty.
Turk, who visited the DRC in April, described the situation as an “explosive mix” of violence, regional and international interests, exploitation by corporations, and weak rule of law.
In the past year, the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country has seen 85% of the reported human rights violations, with armed groups responsible for 61% of the abuses.
During the same period, over 700 new cases of sexual violence were recorded, though Turk emphasized that many more go unreported.
“Armed groups abduct, hold captive, and subject women and girls to sexual slavery. Many have been killed after being raped. This is atrocious,” Turk said, highlighting the severity of the abuses.
