UN Experts Demand Proper Documentation and Dignified Treatment of Deceased in DRC Conflict

“We are shocked by the sheer number of deceased individuals retrieved from the streets and Lake Kivu,” the experts said.

UN experts have issued a stark warning to parties involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), emphasizing the urgent need to ensure that the bodies of deceased individuals are treated with dignity and properly documented before burial. This comes after nearly 3,000 bodies and remains were discovered in Goma, following the unilateral ceasefire declared by the M23 armed group on February 4.

“We are shocked by the sheer number of deceased individuals retrieved from the streets and Lake Kivu,” the experts said. “This human toll provides evidence of serious crimes against civilians amid escalating hostilities.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 939 intrahospital deaths in Goma as of February 11, with many bodies awaiting burial. The UN experts stressed that professional forensic examination and documentation are crucial in identifying the deceased, determining the causes of death, and investigating potential unlawful killings, including extrajudicial executions.

Failure to properly document the deceased can result in individuals becoming missing persons, creating legal complications, deepening the trauma for grieving families, and impeding potential criminal investigations. The experts emphasized that families have a fundamental right to know the truth about their lost loved ones, including access to information on the circumstances of their deaths.

Additionally, concerns have been raised over the hasty burial of over 2,000 bodies without proper identification, exacerbating the anguish of affected families and hindering the pursuit of justice. “The right of families to mourn and honor their deceased loved ones must be upheld in accordance with local traditions and beliefs,” the experts said.

The ongoing conflict has severely impacted civilians, with heavy bombardments forcing families from at least nine displacement sites to flee into Goma, where many are now sleeping in the streets and public spaces. Amidst this crisis, the experts warned against the use of mass graves as a response to unfounded fears of disease spread. They reiterated that bodies of individuals who have died due to violence do not pose health risks to communities.

“We urge all parties to the conflict to take immediate action in searching for, recovering, properly documenting, and identifying deceased individuals,” the experts stated. “Burials must be conducted with full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law provisions.”

The experts further reminded all parties that the dignity of individuals does not cease upon death. Failing to ensure proper protection and documentation of deceased bodies violates the rights of victims and their families to truth, justice, and reparation. They also expressed their willingness to provide guidance on appropriate management, documentation, and disposition of the dead in compliance with international standards.

The obligation to account for missing persons, protect public health, and preserve cultural and religious burial practices must be guaranteed, they concluded.