The UN Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has documented 2,996 human rights violations in the country from January to June 2026. These violations affected 6,189 victims, according to a statement released on September 22, 2026. Although the number of recorded violations decreased by 10% compared to the previous semester, the BCNUDH notes that this decline does not necessarily indicate an improvement in the situation.
Conflict zones remain the most affected areas, with 2,607 violations recorded in provinces impacted by conflicts, affecting 5,032 victims. The BCNUDH reported continued hostilities and territorial expansion by the AFC/M23. Despite their withdrawal from Uvira and the Ruzizi plain, reprisals, population displacements, and intensified fighting persisted in the highlands. In Ituri and North Kivu, the ADF remains a significant threat, with 230 human rights abuses attributed to the group, affecting 1,064 victims.
The report also highlights around thirty violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on protected infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and other specially protected sites. The BCNUDH emphasizes the persistence of conflict-related sexual violence, with 267 documented cases affecting 401 victims, primarily women and children. Many victims face limited access to medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and justice.
In provinces not affected by armed conflicts, the BCNUDH reported several civil space violations, including cases involving human rights defenders and journalists. The statement also notes some judicial progress, with several proceedings initiated before military courts and various convictions handed down. The BCNUDH attributes these results to its support and that of the MONUSCO, within the framework of the fight against impunity for authors of human rights violations in DR Congo.
The BCNUDH underscores that the decrease in recorded violations does not necessarily reflect an improvement in the situation, citing difficulties in documenting and reporting incidents in several areas. The institution continues to monitor the situation closely, particularly in conflict zones where the risk of human rights abuses remains high.
The report also highlights the challenges faced by victims of human rights abuses in accessing essential services such as medical care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance. The BCNUDH calls for increased support for victims and their families, as well as for efforts to prevent further human rights abuses.
The UN Joint Human Rights Office will continue to work with national and international partners to document human rights abuses and support victims. Key efforts will focus on strengthening the judicial system and promoting accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses.
Key points
- 2,996 human rights violations were documented in DR Congo from January to June 2026.
- The UN Joint Human Rights Office reports that conflict zones remain the most affected areas.
- The institution notes challenges in documenting and reporting incidents in several areas.
