On the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security

B100211/2025

European Parliament resolution on the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security

(2025/2612(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in particular its resolution of 13 February 2025 on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the situation in the eastern DRC continues to deteriorate significantly, with escalating violence, persistent violations of human rights by armed groups, mass displacement, attacks on civilians and alarming humanitarian conditions;

B.whereas on 18 March 2025 Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda agreed on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in their first face-to-face meeting in over a year, facilitated by Qatari mediators in Doha;

C.whereas the armed group M23, backed by Rwanda, has intensified attacks in North Kivu, and on 19 March 2025 it seized the mineral-rich town of Walikale, defying the ceasefire;

D.whereas over 7 million people are currently displaced because of ongoing conflicts, with limited access to food, water, healthcare and essential services;

E.whereas there has been an alarming increase in targeted attacks against civilians, including, but not limited to, Christians, particularly in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, perpetrated by extremist groups; whereas these attacks, including church bombings, killings and abductions, undermine religious freedom and exacerbate intercommunal tensions; whereas the right to freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right and must be protected given the high level of violence and persecution;

F.whereas women and girls in the DRC face increased levels of sexual and gender-based violence, resulting in there being one victim of rape every four minutes; whereas the staff of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, which receives many survivors of sexual violence, is alarmed about the deteriorating security situation in the area and about the security of the staff and patients in Panzi Hospital itself;

G.whereas the illegal exploitation of mineral resources continues to fuel conflict in the region, necessitating stronger international oversight and responsible sourcing policies;

H.whereas in February 2025, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi proposed a deal to US President Donald Trump, in which he seeks military support against M23 rebels in exchange for access to the DRC’s vast mineral resources;

I.whereas the EU has committed to supporting stability in the DRC through diplomatic engagement, financial assistance and targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for violence and human rights abuses;

J.whereas on 17 March 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses in the DRC, but further diplomatic and economic measures may be necessary;

K.whereas the Council renewed the EU’s financial support for the deployment of Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) troops in Mozambique under the European Peace Facility (EPF); whereas the head of these forces was previously deployed in the eastern DRC to support abuses committed by M23, giving rise to serious doubt as to whether there are sufficient safeguards attached to EPF support, including effective vetting and other human rights requirements;

1.Expresses deep concern over the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC;

2.Strongly condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories in the eastern DRC by M23 and the RDF as an unacceptable breach of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; urges the Rwandan Government to withdraw its troops from DRC territory, the presence of whom is a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, and cease cooperation with the M23 rebels; demands that Rwanda and all other potential state actors in the region cease their support for M23;

3.Calls for an immediate and effective ceasefire, and for the full implementation of diplomatic agreements, including the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes;

4.Is appalled by the shocking use of sexual violence against women and girls as a tool of repression and a weapon of war in the eastern DRC, and by the unacceptable recruitment of child soldiers by the various rebel groups; demands that these matters be addressed by the international community without delay; reiterates strongly that any attack against UN-mandated forces is inexcusable and might be considered a war crime;

5.Calls for an immediate end to the violence, particularly the mass killings and the use of rape as a strategic weapon of war; calls on the DRC and Rwanda to investigate and appropriately prosecute those responsible for war crimes, including targeted attacks against Christian and all other religious communities and places of worship;

6.Calls on the DRC Government to implement security sector reforms, intensify its efforts to prevent further atrocities against civilians and end its support for and collaboration with abusive armed groups, including ensuring the full protection of religious communities and their places of worship; urges the DRC Government to ensure accountability for human rights violations and prosecute those responsible for attacks; urges the DRC Government to address and prevent hate speech and incitement, including the involvement of officials in such acts, and hate-motivated acts of violence or intimidation;

7.Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of displaced persons and vulnerable communities in the DRC, ensuring safe access to food, medical care and shelter;

8.Supports the imposition of further targeted EU sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for financing or engaging in violence, human rights abuses and resource exploitation; calls on the Council to implement and expand these sanctions by targeting all responsible entities and individuals, including Major General Emmy K. Ruvusha, Commander of the Rwanda Security Forces, identified in the June 2023 report of the UN Group of Experts;

9.Calls for stricter enforcement of EU regulations on conflict minerals to prevent illicit trade from fuelling armed groups in the DRC; calls once again on the Commission to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda and to suspend its support for all projects associated with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, as such projects could lead to direct or indirect support for human rights violations in the eastern DRC; requests that the Commission share detailed mapping of current projects with Rwandan authorities and its assessment of whether they may contribute to or fail to address human rights violations either inside Rwanda or in the DRC;

10.Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to intensify diplomatic efforts by working closely with regional partners, including the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations, in order to step up diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict;

11.Expresses concern over reports of foreign interference exacerbating the conflict and calls for an independent investigation into allegations of external support for armed groups;

12.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African Union and other relevant international bodies.