Escalating Violence Against Children in DRC Demands Action | Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Defence for Children International (DCI)-Democratic Republic of Congo/BIFERD delivered a statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council during Item 10: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

DCI-DRC/BIFRED called for urgent international attention to the grave and widespread violations against children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The intensifying conflict in the eastern regions of the country has driven one of the world’s most severe and neglected humanitarian crises, gravely impacting children’s rights. 

Killings and maiming, abductions, and sexual violence against children remain widespread. The recruitment of children by armed groups and their exploitation in mining areas have reached alarming levels. Mass displacement and repeated attacks on schools, have deprived more than 1.6 million children of their education. At the same time, the combined effects of conflict, worsening poverty and displacement have left approximately 4.18 million children suffering, or at risk of suffering, from acute malnutrition. 

These grave and ongoing violations reflect a profound failure to protect children and demand concrete and coordinated international action. 

DCI calls on Member States to: 

• Urgently establish operational mechanisms to reach children living in areas under the control of armed groups, in order to ensure their registration at birth and prevent the risk of statelessness; 

• Strengthen child protection systems, particularly reintegration programmes for children previously associated with armed groups, and expanding access to education and psychosocial support in provinces affected by conflict; 

• Support independent and impartial investigations into serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable; 

• Ensure the full operationalisation and adequate funding of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic Republic of Congo; 

• Issue clear and binding instructions to immediately put an end to attacks on and the occupation of schools; and 

• Demand compliance by all parties with relevant agreements, including those concluded in Washington, to ensure the full protection of children. 

Read the full statement (in French) here 

Watch the delivery at the UN (in French) here: