UN experts warn of M23‑driven sexual violence in eastern DRC

UN Human Rights Council‑appointed experts warned that the Rwanda‑backed M23 militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is responsible for widespread sexual violence, including rapes and gang rapes, as well as killings and other severe abuses against civilians. The experts cited a pattern of arbitrary arrests, torture, forced labour, abduction, blackmail and forced recruitment, with detainees held in severely overcrowded and unsanitary facilities lacking food, water and medical care, and several deaths reported in detention.

Among the 12 experts were special rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards and Matthew Gillett, who noted that while these crimes are not exclusive to M23, the number of victims is "staggering." They highlighted that the conflict, which began in 2021, has displaced over eight million people and that cases of sexual violence by M23 have more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, according to a UN Secretary‑General report. The experts are in contact with both the DRC government and the Rwandan authorities that support the group, urging immediate investigations and accountability.