Thousands of families have been displaced by violence in eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed rebels seized the key city of Goma in a blitz offensive.

The decision by the Human Rights Council was requested by Congo and agreed to by consensus, meaning no vote was taken. It culminated an urgent session on the spiraling violence in a region where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels recently captured the key city of Goma.

The rebels continued advances in eastern Congo despite their own announcement of a cease-fire. The U.N. secretary-general called for them to lay down their guns and agree to mediation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is in turmoil - fighters from the notorious M23 rebel group have been surging through the country's east, battling the national army and capturing key places as they go.

For decades, the country has been at war and as a result, Br. Adophe explained, “there is no dignity of life.” “In Congo, you can't tell me about dignity of life,” he said: “I have never really enjoyed being a human being in this country that is really overwhelmed with, blood everywhere.”

UN Human Rights Council has given the green light to open an investigation into alleged violations and abuses committed in the deadly clashes gripping the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.