The reported increase in child, early and forced marriage and the normalisation of this human rights violation was very concerning, the experts said.
The lack of identification of trafficked persons and persons at risk of trafficking and lack of access to protection services is a key concern amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Clashes between armed forces and non-state armed groups in provinces such as North and South Kivu are causing massive population displacement, exacerbating protection risks. Humanitarian and civil society organisations struggle to operate in and access these areas, which severely hinders displaced persons’ access to food and education, and protection. Young girls, in particular, face increased risk of being trafficked for sexual exploitation and child marriage.
The experts also expressed concern about the closure of the UN Mission in DRC. “We are worried that with the MONUSCO withdrawal, key components of early warning systems of human rights violations will no longer be operational, significantly limiting human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation,” they said.
The DRC government should guarantee the unhindered access of human rights actors throughout the entire territory, to ensure the documentation and prevention of human rights violations, including regarding conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking in persons.