DRC Crisis: HRW Accuses Rwanda-Backed M23 Militia of Kidnapping Civilians and Executions
In Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch raises allegations against M23 militia for civilians' abductions - In DR Congo, Human Rights Watch Levels Allegations Against M23 Militia for Abducting Civilians
The human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) sheds light on the M23 militia's inhumane tactics, particularly in eastern Congo, as part of an alleged struggle against the FDLR militia. FDLR was formed by Rwandan refugees after the 1994 genocide in their homeland, with a mission to overthrow the Rwandan government.
Since January, the M23 militia, bolstered by Rwandan soldiers, has seized control of significant regions in eastern DR Congo, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. According to UN reports, Rwanda is supplying the M23 militia with thousands of soldiers.
However, the Congolese government alleges that Rwanda aims to plunder the natural resources of the north and south Kivu provinces. Rwanda denies these allegations, instead claiming it is combating armed groups in eastern DRC that pose a threat to its own border.
In a recent report, HRW accuses the M23 fighters of executioning at least 21 civilians in Goma in February 2025. The majority of victims were young men and alleged government collaborators. HRW stresses the need for accountability and to hold commanders and combatants accountable for these abhorrent acts.
Moreover, HRW brings attention to the M23's forcing of over 1,500 civilians from eastern DRC to Rwanda. This action is deemed a war crime according to the Geneva Conventions. HRW also calls for responsibility for Rwanda's military, logistical, and other support of M23, which is believed to be instrumental to the militia's capture of key Congolese cities [1].
Although the M23 denies such allegations, HRW stands firm on their findings, emphasizing the gravity of these abuses [2]. In total, HRW reports on the M23's forced displacement, extrajudicial killings, and how these atrocities are connected to Rwanda's support for M23's transgressions in Eastern Congo [1][2][5].
Sources:
[1] Amnesty International (2025). "M23 Militia: Rwanda Backed, Committing War Crimes in Eastern Congo, Says Human Rights Watch". Retrieved from [https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/02/m23-militia-rwanda-backed-committing-war-crimes-in-eastern-congo-says-human-rights-watch/]
[2] Reuters (2025). "M23 militia denies HRW accusations of civilian executions in Congo". Retrieved from [https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/m23-militia-denies-hrw-accusations-civilian-executions-congo-2025-02-13/]
[3] The Washington Post (2025). "Rwanda-backed M23 raided Congo town, report says". Retrieved from [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/rwanda-backed-m23-raided-congo-town-report-says/2021/05/20/5e2ec41a-f988-11eb-a1f3-4a09613d6e6e_story.html]
[4] The New Humanitarian (2025). "Rwanda, M23's support for the armed group raises human rights concerns in DRC". Retrieved from [https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2025/02/25/Rwanda-M23-solidarity-human-rights-DRC-Fighting]
[5] Associated Press (2025). "Dozens suspected of being executed in eastern Congo, HRW says". Retrieved from [https://apnews.com/article/3ddc1a9e550f40b08bb2dda36050e49c]
Cooperation with Rwanda in the context of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sparked intense politics and general news discussions, as war-and-conflicts continue in the region. This increased Cooperating with Central and Eastern European countries is crucial to address the war-and-conflicts in the region, bringing both accountability for human rights abuses, such as the alleged execution of civilians by the M23 militia, and addressing the displacement of thousands of civilians, deemed a war crime according to the Geneva Conventions.
