UNICEF Alarmed by Surge in Child Rights Violations Amid Escalating Violence in Eastern DR Congo.
GOMA, DR Congo:
UNICEF has expressed grave concern over a sharp increase in severe violations against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following an escalation of violence that began on January 24, 2025. The number of reported violations has tripled since the conflict’s latest flare-up, with alarming rises in cases of sexual violence, abductions, killings, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
According to recent data, sexual violence incidents have surged by more than two and a half times, while abductions have skyrocketed sixfold. Killings and maiming of children have increased sevenfold, and the destruction of educational and healthcare infrastructure has multiplied by 12.
“We are urgently calling on all parties to the conflict to immediately halt these appalling grave violations against children,” said Jean Francois Basse, UNICEF’s acting Representative in DRC. “The conflict is tearing families apart, leading to widespread insecurity, and is rapidly undermining progress made over the last few years. Vulnerable children, including those living on the streets, tell us they are afraid for their lives.”
The ongoing violence in the eastern DRC has caused the collapse of essential services, including healthcare and education, leaving children highly vulnerable. Thousands of schools remain closed, and many children have been separated from their families, amplifying the risks they face. The lack of security and a functioning justice system, coupled with rampant violence and the widespread availability of weapons, has further exacerbated the situation, placing children at heightened risk.
UNICEF has also raised concerns over the mass recruitment of children by various armed groups, a practice that has become more pronounced during the recent escalation. The DRC already has one of the highest numbers of verified cases of child recruitment since global records began in 2005.
In response, UNICEF and its partners have been screening individuals at risk of recruitment. Since January 2025, 5,639 prospective recruits, including 302 women and girls, have been assessed. This screening identified 63 children, 12 of whom were girls. These children have since been reunited with their families, while efforts to reunite more continue.
Additionally, UNICEF has been working to reunite unaccompanied children with their families in eastern DRC. Since the escalation of violence, 1,200 children have been identified as separated from their families, with 720 successfully reunited. The remaining children are being placed in foster families to ensure their protection while efforts are made to trace their biological families.
Jean Francois Basse reiterated the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to respect international law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. He also called for concrete measures to protect civilians and vital infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, which are essential to children’s survival and development.
“We must not stand by while this horrific violence persists. Perpetrators must also be held to account if the cycle of impunity on grave violations against children in DRC is to end,” Basse emphasized.
As the situation in the eastern DRC deteriorates, UNICEF continues to provide life-saving support, advocating for the protection of children and urging all parties involved in the conflict to end the violence and prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
