Thank you Madame Vice President,

We commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s strong engagement with the Council during its membership so far, recognising, in particular, their leadership in convening the special session of this Council last month.

The UK is deeply concerned by the significant deterioration of the situation in eastern DRC, where M23 and Rwanda Defence Force advances have displaced over one million people since January.

A resolution to this conflict is vital. We encourage all parties to engage in good faith and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric.

We are hearing horrifying accounts of human rights abuses and violations perpetrated by all parties including M23, the Rwanda Defence Force, the Armed Forces of the DRC, Wazelendo groups, and the Allied Democratic Forces.

We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, particularly from sexual and gender-based violence, and immediately end the abduction and recruitment of children.

Lastly, the UK reiterates its objection to the death penalty in all circumstances and, once again, urges the DRC to reconsider its decision to lift the moratorium on the death penalty.

Madame Vice President,

What more can the UN and the international community do to address the human rights situation in areas under M23 and RDF control?