Australia thanks the High Commissioner and the experts for their updates.

We commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s progress in the transitional justice process including through the launch of national consultations in 2022 and the ongoing moratorium on the death penalty.

We remain deeply concerned by continued human rights violations and abuses including mass killings, mutilations, and conflict-related sexual violence which are causing mass displacement and enduring trauma across the country.

We also note with concern the gender-based violence and grave violations against children being perpetrated by various armed groups in the Eastern DRC provinces.

We recognise African-led diplomatic efforts in support of a peaceful solution in the Eastern DRC and call on regional states and parties to cease support for armed groups perpetrating human rights violations and abuses. We encourage dialogue to reduce tensions and work towards a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

We ask what more can be done by authorities to stem the continued targeting of civilians and human rights abuses in Eastern DRC?