KINSHASA - The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) should take urgent action to combat trafficking in persons, particularly affecting women and children, and ensure accountability, a UN expert said today.
"Conflict-related trafficking of children by armed groups persists with impunity, and is at alarming levels, with devastating consequences for children and the future of the DRC. Urgent action is needed to end these grave violations of children's rights, and ensure access to justice for victims and accountability," said Siobhán Mullally, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children in a statement at the end of an official visit to the country.
"Trafficking in persons is strategically used by armed groups to control, terrorise, and displace communities. Trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation and sexual slavery is widespread and systematic, linked to alarming levels of conflict-related sexual violence," Mullally said.
"The recruitment and use of children has increased, with reports indicating exploitation of children for use in combat and support roles, sexual exploitation, sexual slavery and enslavement, child labour and forced marriage," Mullally said.
"The intensification and normalisation of conflict-related trafficking for sexual exploitation, and recruitment and use of children is a grave and urgent concern. Assistance and protection for victims in conflict areas is very limited, while insecurity and serious human rights violations, including trafficking in persons, are continuing. Shortages of essential medical supplies persists."
"Conflict-related trafficking in persons does not occur in a vacuum. It reflects systemised sexual exploitation, gender inequality, and weak child protection, with children in street situations, children with disabilities, indigenous children, and children living in poverty, at very high risk of all forms of exploitation."
The Special Rapporteur expressed serious concern at the continuing prevalence of trafficking of children in the mining sector, linked to weak regulation of supply chains and of artisanal mines. "Corruption in the administration of justice allows trafficking of children for forced labour to persist with impunity. Trafficking of young women and girls for sexual exploitation is widespread in the areas surrounding mining sites, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequality and poverty," Mullally said.
Mullally noted that illicit exploitation of mineral resources, including by foreign state and corporate actors, continues to fuel armed conflict and exacerbate vulnerabilities, including forced displacement, forced labour, child labour and sexual exploitation.
She also raised the alarm about the widening protection gap resulting from severe cuts in humanitarian and development aid, amid the anticipated withdrawal of MONUSCO. "Reduced funding has already had tangible repercussions on service provision. It is essential to maintain and strengthen early warning systems and ensure continued human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation of trafficking-related violations," the expert said.
"Ongoing peace negotiations must address the root causes of the conflict, including intergenerational poverty, patriarchal social norms, illegal exploitation of resources, and persistent impunity for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law," she said. "Accountability for trafficking is essential to achieving a just and sustainable peace."
Mullally expressed deep regret over the decision by the M23 de facto authorities to revoke their authorisation for her entry into North Kivu without prior notice, preventing the conduct of her official visit. She urged all relevant actors to constructively engage with UN Special Procedures and human rights mechanisms and commended those working to protect civilians in the context of continuing conflict and serious security risks.
The expert will present a detailed report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.
