Human Rights Watch report documents mass forced recruitment and detention by M23 in eastern DRC
A major investigation released by Human Rights Watch details a systematic campaign of forced recruitment and arbitrary detention by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group in North and South Kivu. The report documents the abduction of thousands of civilians and captured combatants who were taken to 're-education' camps in Rumangabo and Tshanzu since the group captured Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. Witnesses describe inhumane conditions and summary executions for those refusing to join M23 front lines.
Date: June 10, 2026
Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Conflict: M23 Rebellion
Category: other
Severity: CRITICAL
Source: Human Rights Watch