HRC60 - EU General Statement – Item 4, Resolution L.32/Rev.1, Situation des droits de l’homme dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo
UN Human Rights Council
60th session – Item 4
Resolution L.32/Rev.1 – EU General Comment
Situation des droits de l’homme dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Council. This general comment has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
The EU condemns in the strongest terms the on-going human rights violations and abuses in the east of the DRC by all parties to the conflict. The EU stresses the urgent need for thorough investigations, recognition of victims, and accountability for perpetrators. In this regard, the EU welcomes the efforts by the DRC to advance the operationalization of the Commission of Inquiry through this resolution.
The EU welcomes the explicit reference to a number of armed actors involved. The report by the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), along with previous reporting by other UN-bodies, clearly outline a pattern of widespread human violations and abuses by various parties. A credible path to transitional justice must include accountability for all perpetrators. The EU thanks the penholder to include a reference calling all parties to implement the recommendations of the FFM.
De EU regrets that DRC was not able to accommodate the EU’s request to express concern about the use of hate speech by all parties which fuels ethnically motivated attacks. Finally, the EU also strongly regrets the decision of the DRC to terminate the mandate of the Team of Experts, in view of their important contribution in furthering transitional justice and the fight against impunity, complementary to the work of the future COI.
The EU calls on all parties to cooperate and grant access to the future COI to conduct its investigations and interview victims wherever they may be in the wider region. The impartial and independent character of the mechanism must be respected at all times.
President,
The Human Rights Council’s has a responsibility when a human rights crisis unfolds. The ongoing human rights emergency in the East of the DRC warrants the continued attention of this Council and urges us to make full use of its mechanisms. Documenting human rights violations and abuses through the COI constitutes a critical step on the path towards accountability.
For these reasons, we call upon all members of this Council to adopt this draft resolution by consensus. In case a vote is called, the EU will be voting YES and calls on others to do the same.