The Congolese government has pledged full transparency in efforts to establish the truth about atrocities committed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka on Tuesday received members of the Independent Commission of Inquiry established by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Created under Human Rights Council Resolution S-37/1, the Commission is mandated to establish the facts, circumstances, and root causes of alleged human rights abuses committed in the context of the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The visit marks the official launch of the Commission’s work in the country.
Suminwa Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Impunity
Accompanied by the ministers responsible for Interior Affairs, Human Rights, Gender, Family and Children, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Suminwa formally welcomed the international investigators and reiterated her government’s commitment to accountability and the fight against impunity.
The Commission’s mandate covers allegations of human rights violations, breaches of international humanitarian law, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, crimes against women and children, as well as abuses targeting internally displaced persons and refugees. Investigators are also tasked with documenting potential international crimes committed during hostilities in the two eastern provinces.
For Suminwa, the deployment of the Commission sends a strong signal that those responsible for atrocities must be held accountable. She instructed all relevant government agencies to cooperate fully with investigators and facilitate the execution of their mandate.
Guarantees of Independence and Unrestricted Access
During the meeting, members of the Commission requested a number of guarantees necessary for the effective conduct of their investigation. These include freedom of movement throughout the country, unrestricted access to relevant sources of information, and access to locations deemed critical to the inquiry.
Investigators also requested access to detention facilities, transit centers, camps for displaced persons, healthcare facilities, and any other sites relevant to their work.
In addition, they emphasized the importance of being able to meet, when necessary under conditions of confidentiality, with national, provincial, and local authorities, military officials, community leaders, civil society organizations, and any individuals whose testimony may contribute to establishing the facts.
Determined to ensure that the truth emerges and that such atrocities are never repeated, Suminwa assured the Commission that the government would provide all necessary support and facilities to enable investigators to carry out their work independently and transparently.
International Response to the Crisis in Eastern Congo
The establishment of the Commission follows decisions adopted during the 37th Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
At that session, member states unanimously approved a resolution calling for the urgent deployment of a fact-finding mission and the creation of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in North Kivu and South Kivu.
The Human Rights Council also demanded that the M23 armed group immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from occupied territories, while calling on the Rwanda Defence Force to end its support for the rebel movement and withdraw from Congolese territory.
By committing to full cooperation with the international inquiry, the Congolese government is signaling its determination to support truth-seeking efforts, strengthen accountability, and contribute to the pursuit of lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
JDW
