Overview of Human Rights in Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is, at least nominally, a centralized republic. In reality, there were no free elections in the nation from 1960 to 2006.  The elections of 2006 ensued after  three years of ‘transition’ government, which have been in place since the end of the civil war.

Despite this anticipated time of change, the human rights abuses, which have long been committed in the DRC, show no signs of stopping.  Brutal rebel groups operating in unstable DRC carry out some of the most notorious abuses -- murder, rape, mutilation, torture -- against villagers and tribal groups living in areas close to borders of other countries.  This has been the legacy of DRC's location as the center of the trans-national Central African Crisis, from which varying rebel and insurgent groups have operated.

Geopolitics aside,  there are a number of factors that continue to yield adverse affects as regards DRC’s ability to stabilize its economy and infrastructure. Weak financial institutions, widespread corruption among the government and law enforcement officials, as well as deteriorating health care and public education systems, together undermine good governance and the human rights record.

Indeed, security forces in the DRC have been responsible for unlawful killings, as well as torture, including rape, of regular citizens and suspects alike. In January and June 2005, security forces killed dozens of people who were protesting the electoral process. Some of those killed were children. In numerous other cases, many citizens have been arbitrarily detained and tortured without just cause.

The rights to privacy, as well as the freedoms of press, speech, association, assembly and movement, are severely restricted. There is also widespread discrimination against children and ethnic minorities in the DRC.

Neither Congolese nor international human rights activists are safe from the threats of violence and death. In July 2005, Pascal Kabungulu, a prominent Congolese human rights activist, was assassinated. While the two soldiers responsible for their deaths were arrested, they were later released without charges being brought against them.

Righting the wrongs of past injustices and violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws is occurring in rhetoric only.  Currently, many individuals known to be violators of human rights and humanitarian laws continue to occupy posts in the government or in the newly integrated army. The International Criminal Court (ICC) may eventually be able to bring some major perpetrators of war crimes to justice, but this process will take years more to complete.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

167th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.