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

B100217/2025

European Parliament resolution on 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 its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), notably that 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 sharply; whereas following the advancement of the March 23 Movement (M23) armed rebel group in January 2025, backed by Rwandan forces, and its seizing of Goma and Bukavu, attacks and violence continue to be perpetuated; whereas the M23 is continuing its offensive, notably in North and South Kivu;

B.whereas in March 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda issued a joint statement announcing a ceasefire; whereas despite this announcement, the violence continues;

C.whereas around 100 separate armed groups are estimated to be operating in the eastern DRC; whereas destabilisation in the country is being driven by a series of overlapping issues, including ethnic divisions, clashes between government forces and non-state actors, including those backed by Rwanda, and the exploitation of critical raw materials;

D.whereas there continue to be a high number of civilian casualties and displaced people; whereas civilians are being attacked indiscriminately, in particular in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri;

E.whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC), known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attacks civilians in all communities in the DRC; whereas ADF attacks have included targeting churches and religious leaders; whereas Christianity is the majority religion in the DRC; whereas most victims of ADF attacks have been Christian;

F.whereas the humanitarian situation remains dire; whereas support for shelter, medical supplies, sanitation, water and food continues to be severely lacking in the DRC and neighbouring countries; whereas since January 2025, an estimated 70 000 people have crossed into Burundi to flee the conflict in the DRC;

G.whereas woman and girls face widespread gender-based and sexual violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war;

1.Expresses deep concern at the alarming continuation of violence; deplores the loss of life and the attacks, both indiscriminate and targeted, against civilians;

2.Underlines the urgent need for the stabilisation of the country and the implementation of an immediate ceasefire; reiterates its call on the M23 to halt its territorial advances and withdraw from the territory of the DRC, and for all parties to observe a cessation of violence;

3.Urges the DRC authorities to cooperate with international organisations, including the United Nations, to ensure that human rights abuses are investigated and the perpetrators held to account, including those targeting attacks on ethnic and religious communities;

4.Reiterates its call for all parties, including armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate humanitarian access to address the urgent need for essential services in the eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, notably Burundi; emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account;

5.Deplores the continued sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated against women and girls, in particular the use of rape as a weapon of war; urges the European External Action Service, the Government of the DRC and the international community to increase medical and psychological support for victims, including access to medical abortion care; recalls that sexual violence is a war crime and that those responsible must be held to account;

6.Underlines that a lasting peace must be found through a return to political processes and cooperation; calls on the Government of the DRC and all armed groups to commit to the Nairobi Process for resumed national dialogue;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission and the President, Government and Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.