Democratic Republic of the Congo: National ownership essential to address internal displacement crisis, says UN expert
Press releases
Special Procedures
02 June 2025
KINSHASA -- The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must lead protection of internally displaced persons across the country, where over 7 million people have been driven from their homes by armed conflict, intercommunal violence and forced evictions in the context of conservation and extractive projects, and disasters.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces one of the world's largest and most protracted internal displacement crises, exacerbated by the ongoing occupation of North and South Kivu by Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels," said Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, in a statement at the end of an official visit to the country.
"This crisis has had devastating impacts on displaced civilians, who have been subjected to murder, summary executions, rampant sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour, forced returns, and used as human shields, among other grave violations of their human rights in the context of multiple conflicts and generalised violence," the Special Rapporteur said.
"Many are also struggling to meet their basic needs, particularly given the devastating impacts of foreign aid reductions on the ability of humanitarian agencies to respond to this crisis."
Gaviria Betancur welcomed Government efforts to strengthen displacement-related legal and policy frameworks and address root causes of internal displacement through conflict management and land reform. She called for greater State leadership on these issues.
"While the Government has understandably focused much of its efforts on regaining sovereignty over its territory in the East, sovereignty also brings with it responsibility," she said.
"Particularly given the decline in international assistance, the Government can no longer afford to outsource its responsibilities towards internally displaced persons and must take the lead in ensuring coordinated, accountable responses to internal displacement throughout its territory."
Despite the challenging circumstances confronting internally displaced persons, Gaviria Betancur expressed her admiration for the resilience and tenacity these individuals have demonstrated.
"I was deeply moved by the simplicity and dignity of the demands I heard from internally displaced people, not for handouts but rather to return to their lands in safety, regain self-reliance and rebuild their lives," she said.
"It is imperative to support these aspirations through Government-led approaches, supported by the international community, that enable durable solutions to their displacement. The world cannot afford to turn its back on the internally displaced people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have suffered long enough and deserve sustainable peace."
The Special Rapporteur will present a detailed report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.
Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, country page - https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/democratic-republic-congo
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