Human rights crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: conflict, torture, and impunity

Persistent violence and humanitarian collapse in eastern DRC

The escalation of hostilities in the eastern regions of the République démocratique du Congo has pushed an already dire humanitarian situation to the brink. Since May 2021, the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Ituri have remained under a state of siege, yet security remains elusive. Despite diplomatic efforts, including the Washington agreement of June 2025—later ratified by the heads of state of Rwanda and the République démocratique du Congo in November 2025—and the Doha framework signed between the government and the AFC/M23, the cycle of atrocities continues. The recent spread of the conflict into Uvira further demonstrates the extreme fragility of current ceasefire attempts.

The human cost of this ongoing warfare is staggering. In less than a year, more than 10,000 lives have been lost, while millions of internal displacements and refugee crises have unfolded. National defense forces, security services, and various armed factions—notably the Rwanda-backed M23/AFC—stand accused of systematic human rights violations. These include documented cases of torture and degrading treatment, which directly violate Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The shrinking space for civil liberties

Beyond the physical violence, the security crisis has severely eroded civic freedoms. Public demonstrations are frequently banned, and the independence of the press is under constant threat. A climate of intimidation, characterized by arbitrary arrests and physical abuse, has forced many human rights defenders, journalists, and political dissidents into exile. This exodus has crippled the local capacity to document abuses and seek justice for survivors.

In response to these developments, a joint submission has been prepared by the Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) alongside the SOS-Torture network in the République démocratique du Congo. This coalition, including the Alliance pour l’universalité des droits fondamentaux (AUDF), Afia Mama, SOS Informations juridiques multidimensionnelles (SOS IJM), and Voix des sans voix pour les droits de l’homme (VSV), aims to highlight these critical issues ahead of the upcoming review of the country’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

• Summary and extrajudicial executions: Increasing reports of targeted killings.
• Enforced disappearances: Activists and civilians vanishing without trace.
• Harassment: Systematic intimidation of those defending human rights.
• State and non-state actors: Involvement of both official military and paramilitary groups in abuses.