The United Nations Human Rights Council recently convened an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue in Geneva to assess the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern provinces. This marked the first public presentation by the independent Commission of Inquiry into human rights violations in North-Kivu and South-Kivu, following its initial fact-finding mission to Kinshasa.
During its initial assessment in the DRC capital, the Commission conducted extensive consultations with local stakeholders. It met with representatives from victim support organizations, human rights defenders, civil society actors, government officials, United Nations entities, diplomats, and the national human rights institution.
Challenges hindering investigation efforts
Despite these preliminary meetings, the Commission faces significant operational hurdles. Security concerns prevented access to Goma, a critical area in eastern DRC. The persistent instability in this region continues to obstruct the ability to gather firsthand evidence and conduct thorough investigations.
Compounding these security challenges are severe financial constraints affecting the United Nations system. These funding shortfalls have directly impacted the Commission’s operational capacity, particularly its ability to deploy investigative teams, maintain interpretation services, conduct analytical work, and sustain field presence. The financial strain comes at a time when the Commission is urgently needed to address escalating human rights violations in the conflict-affected regions.
Commission’s commitment despite obstacles
In a statement to the Human Rights Council, Arnauld Akodjenou, President of the Commission, emphasized the body’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its mandate despite these challenges:
“The broader financial constraints facing the United Nations have directly impacted our operational capacity, including our deployable investigative capacity, interpretation, analytical support, mission financing, and sustained field presence. Despite these challenges, the Commission remains fully committed to fulfilling its mandate with independence, diligence, and thoroughness. The suffering brought to our attention demands sustained attention, rigorous investigations, and resolute international engagement.”
The Commission also reiterated the obligation of all parties and actors with influence or control to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access—especially for women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. Akodjenou stressed that humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and protection actors must be able to safely reach victims and affected communities, particularly in the ongoing Ebola response efforts.
He further emphasized that no victim, witness, human rights defender, journalist, or community representative should face intimidation, retaliation, or reprisals for cooperating with UN mechanisms, including this Commission.
Mandate and ongoing investigations
The Commission of Inquiry was established by the UN Human Rights Council on February 7, 2025, through resolution S-37/1. Its mandate includes investigating alleged human rights and international humanitarian law violations in North-Kivu and South-Kivu, with particular attention to crimes affecting women, children, internally displaced persons, and refugees. The Commission is also tasked with examining potential international crimes amid the recent surge in hostilities that began in January 2025.
The Council has specifically requested the Commission to establish facts, preserve evidence, identify those responsible with a view toward accountability, and analyze the root causes of recurring violence in the region. This critical work has already begun, underscoring the need to protect the safety, dignity, and trust of victims and witnesses.
