Human Rights Research League

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Research. Education. Advocacy. Development. (R.E.A.D.)

Congo (DRC)

 

The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which, for decades, has been particularly concerning, especially in the Eastern part of the country, reached a new level of tension since the recent occupation of the cities of Bukavu and Goma by the armed group M23.

 

The conflict between the armed forces of the DRC (FARDC) and various armed groups, has led anew to massive displacements and grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

While the recent signing of a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda may seem to point in the right direction, the popolations the most exposed, even after the signing of a peace agreement, are those forced to flee their home. Among the principle challenges when it comes to the protection of displaced persons is the lack of legal documents and access to land, which often hinder successful return of displaced persons, even after a conflict.

 

These and other challenges we regularly put on the agenda, including when we organized an international conference in Kinshasa, DRC, on durable solutions to forced displacement, and successfully advocated, along with partners, for the ratification of the African Union (AU) Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) by the DRC government.

 

At the UN Human Rights Council, we frequently intervene on these and other issues concerning the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and participate in public discourse in the form of academic conferences, seminars, and lectures. 

 

 

 

During the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered oral statements on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in connection with the General Debate on Item 4 as well as the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the DRC. In HRRL's first intervention, Tresor Maheshe Musole pointed to the political instrumentalization of refugees in the Great Lakes region of Africa as the backdrop to the war that is raging in the Eastern part of the DRC. HRRL is particularly concerned by recent reports of the recruitment of combatants in the middle of refugee camps. For the full statement, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV. 

 

HRRL's second intervention voiced profound concerns in the face of the decision of the DRC government to remove the ban on the execution of the death penalty that had been announced on 9 February 2024. Such a reversal is contrary to Congolese law and represents a regression in the protection of human rights contrary to the principles proclaimed by the United Nations as well as regional human rights institutions, including the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. For further details, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.