The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child stated on Thursday that children are facing extreme violations of rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The committee, established to help protect child rights in its signatory states, including the DRC, has expressed concern over violence, abduction and military recruitment of children in the country.

Violence in the DRC, specifically in its eastern regions bordering Rwanda, has greatly escalated since the region was taken over by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The fighters, who have seized regions in DRC, have been criticized by international organizations and bodies, including the EU, for mass violations of human rights, including displacement, murder and rape. The circumstances have significantly worsened since the capture of the city of Buvaku.

The condition of human rights in the region has also been a source of international concern, with severe shortages of vital resources like food, water, and electricity. The UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk has also commented on the mass displacement as well as wide occurrences of sexual violence, with the UN considering the establishment of a fact-finding mission. He further stated, “The risk of violence escalating throughout the sub-region has never been higher. All those with influence over the parties involved, be they States or non-state actors, must redouble their efforts to avert a conflagration and to support peace processes.”

The violence against children has been exacerbated by the lack of proper healthcare facilities, resulting in more deaths. More than 2.6 million children are affected by the conflict, and there has been a disturbing increase in sexual violence against children.  The situation has also been denounced by UNICEF, which has urged the involved parties to abide by their obligations under humanitarian law.