UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor has called for immediate international assistance to protect human rights defenders in the volatile eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a statement on Wednesday, Lawlor highlighted the extreme risks faced by activists, who are increasingly targeted by armed groups such as the M23 rebels for documenting and exposing human rights violations.
“Human rights defenders in the eastern DRC are currently at extreme risk of reprisals for their human rights work,” Lawlor said, noting that M23 rebels have compiled a list of activists for apprehension. These individuals are often the only ones documenting abuses, leaving victims without recourse. Lawlor urged the international community to provide support, including temporary relocations, to safeguard these defenders.
The situation is particularly dire for women human rights defenders, who face rampant sexual violence in the conflict zone. “Women who take a stand against human rights violations often bear the brunt of sexual and gender-based violence,” Lawlor stated, emphasizing the additional risks faced by those in remote rural areas, where activists are subjected to killings, enforced disappearances, and torture—violations of international human rights law.
The escalating conflict in the DRC has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with reports of widespread child rights violations, gender-based violence, and threats against the judiciary. The M23 rebels have also targeted hospitals in their attacks. In response to these violations, the UN Security Council passed a resolution in February condemning the M23 attacks and urging Rwandan forces to withdraw from DRC territory.
Lawlor’s call underscores the urgent need for global action to protect those standing up for human rights in one of the world’s most dangerous regions for activists.
Human-rights Picture by-Nick-Youngson-CC-BY-SA-3.0-Pix4free
