UN Experts Warn of Extreme M23 Violence Targeting Human Rights Defenders

United Nations experts have condemned what they described as extreme violence committed against human rights defenders by the March 23 Movement in the North and South Kivu provinces, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The experts who released the warning statement on Saturday include Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Graeme Reid, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstić (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. 

The experts say there are allegations of attempted killings, repeated kidnappings, torture, sexual violence and death threats at the hands of M23, targeting those peacefully documenting abuses, supporting their communities and speaking out against violations. According to the experts, between November 2025 and February 2026, several human rights defenders in North and South Kivu were reportedly targeted by members of M23 and their collaborators, in direct connection with their human rights work.

The experts say two women human rights defenders protesting forced expulsions of civilians in Uvira, South Kivu, were reportedly abducted and tortured by M23 elements and their fate and whereabouts remain unknown.  They say one woman human rights defender working on LGBT rights was abducted multiple times, severely tortured and continues to be aggressively pursued.

In another case, a human rights defender was subjected to death threats and forced into hiding and armed men allegedly raided his home, abducted and violently assaulted his spouse in an effort to force her to reveal his whereabouts.

A young human rights defender from Goma, in North Kivu, was also reportedly threatened and forced into hiding following his public writings about killings of civilians in M23-controlled areas, experts add. 

They also say that human rights defenders operating in the Kivu provinces who dare to denounce abuses by M23 are being deliberately targeted, women human rights defenders and LGBT rights defenders, who already face stigma and discrimination, are at acute risk of sexual violence and torture. 

The defenders want M23 to immediately stop targeting human rights defenders and civilians explaining that human rights defenders are not combatants, enemies, but vital actors for justice, accountability and peace. The experts add that when human rights defenders are silenced through fear and brutality, the prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC grow ever more distant.  

The experts call on the authorities to ensure prompt and impartial investigations into all allegations, to provide protection and adequate medical and psychosocial support to survivors and their families and to take meaningful steps to guarantee that human rights defenders in eastern DRC can carry out their work safely and without fear adding that they are in contact with the government on the issue.

The details statement states:“We are horrified by the gravity and brutality of the abuse committed against human rights defenders and their families. There are allegations of attempted killings, repeated kidnappings, torture, sexual violence and death threats at the hands of M23, targeting those peacefully documenting abuses, supporting their communities and speaking out against violations. Between November 2025 and February 2026, several human rights defenders in North and South Kivu were reportedly targeted by members of M23 and their collaborators, in direct connection with their human rights work. Two women human rights defenders protesting forced expulsions of civilians in Uvira, South Kivu, were reportedly abducted and tortured by M23 elements. Their fate and whereabouts remain unknown. One woman human rights defender working on LGBT rights was abducted multiple times, severely tortured and continues to be aggressively pursued. In another case, a human rights defender was subjected to death threats and forced into hiding. Armed men allegedly raided his home, abducted and violently assaulted his spouse in an effort to force her to reveal his whereabouts. A young human rights defender from Goma, in North Kivu, was also reportedly threatened and forced into hiding following his public writings about killings of civilians in M23-controlled areas.Human rights defenders operating in the Kivu provinces are paying an unbearable price. Those who dare to denounce abuses by M23 are being deliberately targeted. Women human rights defenders and LGBT rights defenders, who already face stigma and discrimination, are at acute risk of sexual violence and torture. M23 must immediately stop targeting human rights defenders and civilians. The ceasefire must be fully respected and not undermined by ongoing intimidation and persecution. Even where violations are committed by non-State armed groups, the State has a clear obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and redress such acts. We call on the authorities to ensure prompt and impartial investigations into all allegations, to provide protection and adequate medical and psychosocial support to survivors and their families and to take meaningful steps to guarantee that human rights defenders in eastern DRC can carry out their work safely and without fear.Human rights defenders are not combatants. They are not enemies, but vital actors for justice, accountability and peace,” the experts said. “When they are silenced through fear and brutality, the prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC grow ever more distant.” 

The M23 have not yet  released a statement reacting about the accusations. The accusations are raised in a period of resumed fierce fighting between M23 and Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and coalition. 

The non stop fighting that on Saturday entered the 10th day has led to the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson of the M23/AFC rebels. Ngoma was killed in a drone strike at around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday (February 24,2026)  in the coltan-mining town of Rubaya, in North Kivu Province.

The strike targeted a residential house at Kasuku Farm where he was staying.On Saturday fierce fighting covered areas of Ndete in Muhanga Buabo groupement, Mashaki in Nyamaboko 1st groupement and in Lukole Banyungu groupement in Masisi territory. On Friday, violent clashes had also happened  in Kinyumba and on the outskirts of Nyabiondo Banyungu groupement , as well as in Buguri, near Lushebere Buabo groupement, where a position held by the AFC/M23 was reportedly set on fire by the Wazalendo.

Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 rebels spokesperson released a statement accusing FARDC and coalition of burning a houses in Kawele village same territory on February 26,2026 at around 03:00PM.

The renewed fighting raises questions about the future of ongoing peace talks reportedly taking place in Doha, Qatar, and whether they will yield positive results amid escalating hostilities.

Since its resurgence in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, M23/AFC has repeatedly exchanged accusations with the Congolese government over ceasefire violations. The government has consistently accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, allegations denied by both Kigali and the group.

M23 says its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Democratic Republic of Congo’s political leadership. In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.

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