head of a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO)

Cases
Location of case in SG report
2025-035-001
Relevant SG report
Year of the report
2025
Country Geolocation

Latitude: -4.038333

Longitude: 21.758664

Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
From Region
Type of record
Unnamed individual/group/organization
Gender
Male
Was the victim a foreign national?
No
Was the victim a minor?
No
Individual's/organization's activity

head of a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO) active in the promotion and protection of human rights, including child rights and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in North Kivu Province,

Type of rights defended
  • Children’s rights
  • Other
  • Women’s rights
Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
No
Reported trigger of reprisal
  1. Specifically, since July 2024, the head of a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO) active in the promotion and protection of human rights, including child rights and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in North Kivu Province, reportedly began receiving threats from members of the M23 rebel group instructing him “to stop spreading rumors about them or face the consequences,” reportedly in relation to his ongoing cooperation with UNJHRO, other components of MONUSCO and United Nations agencies funds and programs, including his reporting on human rights abuses by different armed groups.
Engagement with UN body
  • UN Peace Operation / Political mission
Type of attempted engagement
  • Submission of information to UN
Dates of mentioned reprisals
July 2024, November 2024,
Location of mentioned reprisals
DRC
Reprisal information

Despite changing his telephone number multiple times, the M23 allegedly continued to obtain his new contact information and escalated their threats. In October 2024, the M23 reportedly declared his organization illegal in areas under its control and ordered him to cease all activities. In November 2024, he was reportedly summoned to a meeting by the rebel group, which he suspected to be a trap and therefore did not attend. Subsequently, a group of armed men allegedly came to apprehend him. Failing to locate him, they reportedly padlocked the organization’s office and instructed neighbours to monitor and hand him over to the M23. The individual reportedly fled to Goma, where the M23 continued to send messages claiming they had located his hideout and would apprehend him.

Types of reprisals suffered
  • Administrative reprisal
  • Property damage/raid/search/confiscation
  • Surveillance
  • Threats/Intimidations (incl. "fear of reprisal")
Alleged/likely perpetrators
Non-state actor(s)
Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
No
Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
No
Further case development
  1. During the reporting period, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) documented seven incidents of reprisals against male (2) and female (5) civil society actors, mostly human rights defenders, including three youth, for cooperation with the Mission, described below. Four incidents were attributed to the Movement du 23 Mars (M23), two to local armed groups, and one to State actors, in different locations in conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals.
  2. According to information received by OHCHR, the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) continued to be openly hostile towards human rights defenders and journalists whom they accused of reporting on M23’s activities, including to the United Nations. This public hostility worsened during the reporting period, when the M23 gained control of large territories, including Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities of the Eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, and publicly banned activities of civil society actors, human rights defenders and independent media in occupied areas and systematically targeted them. The number of reported cases of reprisals for cooperation with UNJHRO and other United Nations agencies in the affected areas during the period is believed to underrepresent the actual figures. Many victims fled or went into hiding before they could report allegations of human rights violations to the United Nations, and in some instances, UNJHRO could not secure their consent for fear of further reprisals. Cases in other provinces are also likely under-reported due to a lack of communication infrastructure hindering access to victims and reporting as well as to limited awareness of what constitutes reprisals, the importance of reporting them, and how to do so.
Was the case raised by a State at the UN?
No
Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?
No
Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?
No
Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?
Yes