The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, sounded the alarm on Tuesday over the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where nearly one million people have been displaced from their homes this year alone.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Turk expressed grave concerns about the escalating violence, widespread human rights abuses, and the country's decision to lift a moratorium on the death penalty.

Turk, who visited the DRC in April, described the situation as an "explosive mix" of violence, regional and international interests, exploitation by corporations, and weak rule of law.

In the past year, the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country has seen 85% of the reported human rights violations, with armed groups responsible for 61% of the abuses.

During the same period, over 700 new cases of sexual violence were recorded, though Turk emphasized that many more go unreported.

"Armed groups abduct, hold captive, and subject women and girls to sexual slavery. Many have been killed after being raped. This is atrocious," Turk said, highlighting the severity of the abuses.

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In his remarks, Turk warned that over 23.4 million people in the DRC are now food insecure, lacking access to sufficient and nutritious food. This dire humanitarian situation has worsened amid growing instability.

Turk also criticized the DRC’s recent decision to lift its de facto moratorium on the death penalty, which had been in place since 2003.

Since the moratorium was lifted in March, 128 men have been sentenced to death by military courts.

"I urge the authorities to ensure that these sentences are not carried out," he said, calling the move a "major step backwards" for the country's human rights record.

Practices of illegal exploitation

The UN official further highlighted the illegal exploitation of the DRC's natural resources, including minerals and the world’s second-largest rainforest, as a driving factor behind the conflict.

Turk pointed out that global industries, including mobile phone production, rely on minerals sourced from the DRC, exacerbating violence and poverty in the region.

"The DRC is one of the five poorest nations in the world... this situation is unacceptable," he said, underscoring the profound impact of exploitation on the country's population.

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