UN Suspends Human Rights Investigation in Eastern DR Congo Amid Funding Crisis

Edited by: Reda El Ghazal

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announced the suspension of a fact-finding mission investigating human rights violations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo due to financial constraints. This pause followed a resolution from the Human Rights Council. The mission began in early 2023 with emergency reserve funds amounting to 1.1 million dollars, allowing the collection of evidence from victims and witnesses across the region and neighboring countries.

Efforts focused on gathering, consolidating, and analyzing proof of abuses in North and South Kivu provinces since January 2022, with a commission composed of independent experts. However, continuation depends on securing adequate funding, which is currently unavailable due to a decline in voluntary contributions. Among key donors, the United States ceased payments by the end of May 2025 after previously contributing 36 million dollars.

As a result, the office is unable to maintain full operations, with plans to resume activities once funding is restored. This suspension highlights challenges faced by international human rights bodies operating in conflict zones and emphasizes the importance of continued support from member states to ensure investigations can proceed.