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Statement by the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, and Expert Members Vital Bambanze, Darío José Mejía Montalvo, Aluki Kotierk, Hanieh Moghani, Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef- 8 April 2025
The Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues expresses grave concern over reports of human rights violations and violence against the Indigenous Peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The continued and escalated armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to directly impact Indigenous Peoples in their territories, causing widespread displacement and extreme violence. In particular, the Chairperson expresses deep concern at the abhorrent violence being perpetrated against Indigenous women and children, including conflict-related sexual violence against Congolese Indigenous women.
The Chairperson calls on the Government to take immediate action to cease the atrocities being perpetrated against the Indigenous Peoples of the DRC, including the forceful displacement, violence and gender-based abuse and to address the human rights abuses against Indigenous Peoples. The Chairperson calls on the Government to prosecute perpetrators, to end the ongoing violence and culture of impunity.
The Chairperson calls on the Government to implement the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in line with national and international laws, and the provisions contained within the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in particular Article 7, which provides that “Indigenous Peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to any act of genocide or any other act of violence.” Further, Article 22 provides that, “States shall take measures, in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, to ensure that Indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination”.
The Chairperson calls on the Government to invite the United Nations to investigate and report on allegations of human rights violations in the region, and to monitor the situation unhindered. This should be carried out in a way that actively engages the peacebuilding capacities of Indigenous Peoples, in accordance with UN resolution A/RES/79/159 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that emphasizes, “the importance of meaningfully engaging Indigenous Peoples in peace agreement negotiations, transitional justice processes, conflict resolution, mediation and constructive arrangements”, facilitating processes in coordination with the Government, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and relevant stakeholders, to ensure the protection of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ institutions and ensuring respect for their collective and individual rights.
Read the full statement here.
