Resolution on the forced displacement of people as a result of the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The European Parliament adopted by 546 votes to 2, with 24 abstentions, a resolution on the forced displacement of people as a result of the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The text adopted in plenary was tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

Parliament is concerned about the escalation of violence and the deterioration of an already alarming humanitarian situation in the DRC due to armed conflicts in the eastern provinces. It deplored the fact that an estimated 27 million Congolese are in need of humanitarian aid and that the number of internally displaced people in the DRC is increasing, and that so far six million Congolese have been displaced, including 515 000 refugees.

Members called on the EU and other international partners to provide humanitarian aid for the region. EU-funded humanitarian aid should be targeted at helping vulnerable people, such as victims of sexual violence, and at improving the social determinants of health.

Strongly condemning the ongoing brutal aggression by armed groups, Parliament called on the M23 armed group to withdraw from its positions and disarm. It called on all state actors in the region to cease all cooperation with the M23 and other armed groups in the region and urged all governments concerned to ensure that any political settlement does not include an amnesty for those responsible for serious international crimes. Rwanda is encouraged not to support the M23 rebels.

Members called on the EU and its Member States to impose on perpetrators of human rights violations in the eastern DRC through the global human rights sanctions mechanism.

Concerned about the threats and human rights violations suffered by women and girls during armed conflicts, Parliament urged the international community to accelerate its efforts to eradicate the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts in eastern DRC, to protect victims, to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators.

The international community is urged to take concrete steps to stop the ongoing violence, especially by encouraging the promotion of dialogue and non-violent solutions, and by supporting the regional mediation process, the Luanda process, initiated by the President of Angola João Lourenço.

Members called on the Commission and EU Member States to ensure that the EU's future strategy for the African Great Lakes region adequately reflects the many serious humanitarian and human rights challenges. They called on the DRC's neighbours to step up efforts to combat the smuggling of conflict minerals through their countries and the illicit trade in natural resources that fuels the conflict.