(MENAFN) Armed factions and government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been implicated in severe violations potentially amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the UN Human Rights Office reported Friday.

The latest findings from the UN’s Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) revealed that atrocities have been carried out since late 2024, primarily by the M23 rebel group, the Congolese army (FARDC), and their allied militias.

“The findings of the FFM underscore the gravity and widespread nature of violations and abuses committed by all parties to the conflict, including acts that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the report stated.

According to the UN, civilians were left vulnerable during M23’s takeover of Goma in January, as well as during the involvement of Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF). The report highlights the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. Documented abuses include rape, sexual slavery, torture, enforced disappearances, and forced relocations, with children suffering the brunt of these crimes through forced recruitment, detention, and mistreatment.

The report stresses that M23’s violations were not random but systematic, with "a high degree of organization, planning, and resource mobilization."

Equally grave were the violations committed by government forces and their affiliated groups. These include deliberate killings of civilians by FARDC, widespread sexual violence, and looting by FARDC soldiers and the Wazalendo militia during military retreats earlier this year.

The UN report also underscores the role of external actors, particularly Rwanda and DRC, in supporting armed factions with histories of human rights abuses.

"The atrocities described in this report are horrific," said Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "It is heartbreaking and deeply frustrating to witness, once again, the dehumanization of the civilian population by those in power who are failing in their responsibilities."

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