GENEVA

In a strong statement at the UN Human Rights Council's special session on the Democratic Republic of Congo, the EU voiced support for a resolution calling for an independent fact-finding mission to investigate widespread human rights abuses in the country's eastern regions.

The 27-member bloc condemned the escalating violence, particularly the rise in conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, summary executions, and the displacement of thousands of civilians, as well as the recent offensive by the M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by the neighboring country of Rwanda.

"The EU urges the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately," a representative of the bloc said. "The EU also strongly condemns Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the DRC. We call upon the Rwandan government to respect the territorial integrity of the DRC by immediately withdrawing all troops from the territory of the DRC and end all forms of support for M23 and other non-state armed groups."

The bloc urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to honor their commitments made under the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

"This council cannot stand idle when international human rights law is being disregarded, once again, in eastern DRC," it said. "We therefore support the resolution put forward by the DRC requesting the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate and document all violations and abuses of human rights in eastern DRC and identify all those responsible."

France, Spain, Germany, Belgium echoed the EU's stance and threw their support behind approval of the resolution.

Spain emphasized the humanitarian crisis resulting from M23's advance and urged the immediate halt of any external support for the rebels.

France said the deterioration of the situation has made this special session of the council "essential."

"This council must address the challenges that are covered by its mandate," it said, adding that the situation in North Kivu in eastern Congo is "alarming for many years."

Germany voiced its support for a peaceful resolution and the need for full humanitarian access.

"Humanitarian organizations need full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need so they can continue their life-saving efforts," it said. “We therefore call upon all access to grant this access immediately, (and) we welcome that the initiative has been brought forward by the concerned country."

Belgium, Türkiye, Switzerland

Belgium welcomed the initiative taken by Congo, calling for a special session of the Human Rights Council, saying: "This council cannot remain silent because its role is to prevent ... human rights violations."

Perpetrators of these violations should be held accountable, it said.

Türkiye said it is following the human rights violations in Congo with "deepest concern," condemning the attack in the east, which worsened an already serious situation.

"We join the unanimous call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and establishing a permanent ceasefire. We urge all parties to return to dialogue,” said the Turkish representative.

The country voiced hope that a two-day joint African summit on Congo which began today would help ease the tension and pave the way for peace.

Switzerland called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians in particular, and immediately deescalate.