Volker Türk said to Human Rights Council that the investigation and the analysis undertaken by his office, Ohchrhad revealed “an apparent total contempt for the protection of civilians during and after military operations”.

The Ochch’s mission of investigation in the DRC Orientale is also investigating other alleged violations of international humanitarian law, “many of which can constitute war crimes,” he said.

Arbitrary arrests

After capturing cities and villages at the beginning of 2025, the rebels supported by the M23 arbitrarily arrested the police and a large number of other civilians, including children, reported the United Nations Human Rights Office.

According to witnesses, the captured people were and are still held under “inhuman conditions”, and many have been recruited by force in the ranks of the M23.

The mission is also investigating alleged arbitrary arrests and the forced disappearance of alleged supporters of M23 by the military intelligence branch of the DRC armed forces.

Extrajudicial killings

The OHCHR also indicated that members of the M23 had made a summary and extrajudicial executions, which probably constitute war crimes, said Türk.

The mission is also investigating summary executions presumed by members of the DRC armed forces and Wazalendo militias supported by the DRC.

UN human rights are also investigating death threat reports, detention and other reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists and civil society members perceived as criticism of the M23; Including the alleged murders of at least two activists.

Sexual violence

The mission has received reports on the “horrible” use of sexual violence by all parties as a means of reprisals against communities, parents of perceived adversaries and people from other ethnic groups, said Türk.

In northern and southern Kivu, almost 40% of survivors of sexual and gender violence are children. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) estimated that during the most intense phase of the conflict, a child was raped every 30 minutes.

Türk called on “all the parties to the conflict immediately committed to a ceasefire and to resume negotiations, and to respect the international law of humanitarian rights and human rights”.

António Guterres announced the move a declaration published on Monday, in response to plans of several UN member states to withdraw from The anti-prison convention of anti-personal mines.

The 1997 Treaty, also known as Ottawa Convention, prohibits the use, storage, production and transfer of these weapons.

Mondial accepted money

Since then, it has led to a Virtual judgment in the global production of anti-personal miners and a drastic reduction in their deployment“And” more than 40 million stored mines have been destroyed “,” according to The United Nations Bureau for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

To date, 165 states have gone to the treaty and 133 have signed it.

Five European countries – Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland – recently announced that they intended to leave or take measures in this direction, which would have security problems linked to Russia.

Weaken protection, undermine progress

Without the countries of naming, the secretary general expressed serious concerns concerning development.

“At a time when civilians are faced with increased risks of the expansion of conflicts, It is imperative that we strengthen the frameworks that protect human life and dignity“He said.

“These announcements are particularly disturbing because it may weaken civil protection and undermine two decades from a normative framework that has saved countless lives.”

He urged all states “to join the treaties of humanitarian disarmament and immediately stop the stages towards their withdrawal”, and called on the 32 states which have not yet joined the Treaty to do so without delay.

These countries include China, Iran, Israel, Russia and the United States.

About the campaign

The secretary general’s campaign will focus on maintaining the standards of humanitarian disarmament, accelerating the action of mines as a catalyst for human rights and sustainable development, and advancing the vision of a mine -free world.

“To achieve these objectives, over the next six months, this campaign will aim to reinforce public support to disarmament and will also facilitate concrete actions of states to comply with humanitarian standards and strengthen the action of mines,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that “The urgency of this question cannot be overestimated“, Saying” the protection of innocent lives depends on our collective action and commitment “.

This will involve reducing a little less than half of all the management positions of the registered office of the agency and regional offices.

About 3,500 permanent personnel positions have been interrupted, hundreds of temporary personnel positions have been interrupted and certain offices have been reduced or closed worldwide.

According to the report, the decisions on which to reduce costs have been guided by priority to maintain operations in regions with the needs of the most urgent refugees.

Financial realities

The announcement follows a warning in March from Hcr This serious reduction in funding put millions of lives of refugees in danger, with immediate and devastating consequences.

The agency provides that it will end the year with funding available at about at the same level as a decade – despite the number of refugees forced to flee after having almost doubled Over 122 million.

“In the light of difficult financial realities, UNHCR is forced to reduce the global scale of its operations“Said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”We will focus our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugeesSupported by the rationalized headquarters and regional office structures. »»

“Unshakable” commitment to refugees

Despite the prioritization of refugee needs, key programs – including financial assistance to vulnerable families, health, education and water and sanitation – have been considerably affected.

In response, UNHCR coordinates with UN partners, aid groups and host countries to mitigate the impact on those that count on support by rationalizing operations, exploring new models and using technology to improve efficiency.

“Even if we are faced with painful cuts and to lose so many dedicated colleagues, our commitment to refugees remains unshakable,” said Mr. Grande.

“Although the resources are rarer and our delivery capacity is reduced, we will continue to work hard to respond to emergencies, protect the rights of refugees and pursue solutions.”

“” It is an alarm bell: the more it sounds, the greater the threat of the genocide,He warned.

As part of its central mission to combat hatred, discrimination, racism and inequalities, the UN intensifies efforts to challenge the speech of hatred wherever it arises.

“Haine’s speech is a poison in the well of society. He paved the way for violence and atrocities during the darkest chapters in human history“Added Mr. Guterres.

Hatred

Hatred speech often feeds violence and intolerance, with ethnic and religious minorities among the most frequent targets.

Although the destructive power of hatred is not new, today it is amplified by modern communication technologies.

Online hatred speech has become one of the most widespread ways to disseminate division stories, constituting a growing threat to peace and security in the world.

#Notohate

Before international day, the UN produced a series of videos aimed at countering hate speech – part of the #Notohate campaign.

Ahmed Shaheed, Deputy Director of Essex Human Rights Center, is talking here to counter Islamophobia:

The Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director of T’ruah: the rabbinical call for human rights, addresses the increase in anti -Semitism:

Artificial intelligence

The theme of this year highlights the link between hate speech and artificial intelligence. Construction coalitions are the main tools that companies can use to recover inclusive and safe spaces without hatred.

While AI tools offer a myriad of potential opportunities to make positive differences in conflict and insecurity situations, biased algorithms and digital platforms also distribute toxic content and create new spaces for harassment and abuse.

Recognizing these immense potential and risks, the Member States were recommended to counter online hatred discourse.

“Let us commit to using artificial intelligence, not as a tool of hatred, but as a force for good,” said Mr. Guterres.