UNITED NATION HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Enhanced Interactif Dialogue on the oral update of the Fact Finding Mission on Eastern DRC

16 June 2025

EU statement

The EU thanks the Members of the Fact Finding Mission for their oral update and commends the OHCHR for the work accomplished despite human and financial resources constraints. We seize this moment to congratulate the work of the newly created enquiries branch, which made the rapid deployment possible. However, we regret the delay in the formation of the Commission of Inquiry due to funding shortfalls. We call on all member states to ensure that OHCHR is adequately funded to implement the procedures mandated by this council. We welcome the cooperation of the countries in the region with the FFM, encourage their continued support and stress the urgency of the swift implementation of its conclusions.

The EU is deeply alarmed by the continued reports of serious violations and abuses of human rights and violations of International Humanitarian Law by all parties to the conflict, including extrajudicial killings, torture, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, intimidation and attacks on human rights defenders, forced labor and forced recruitment. These violations notably include accusations against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group of forced returns of refugees and IDPs. 

The EU supports the ongoing processes aiming at a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict respectful of international law and including accountability and transitional justice mechanisms. All accusations of human rights violations and abuses need to be investigated, victims recognized and supported and perpetrators brought to justice. The FFM plays an essential role in this regard to document, collect, preserve and analyze evidence, laying the groundwork for the prospective Commission of Inquiry. We call upon all parties to fully support their efforts.