HRC38 | The Democratic Republic of Congo must protect its civic space
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil society space is shrinking, forcing human rights defenders to work in a very challenging and unsafe environment.
On 3 July, in its statement during the interactive dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ISHR expressed its concerns about the human rights situation in the country. Human rights defenders are targeted for challenging or criticising the government and exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. They are still the victims of threats and attacks because of their work.
ISHR shed light on the recent death of human rights defender Luc Nkulula who tragically died in a house fire. ISHR called on the DRC to carry out a credible and impartial investigation to establish the truth and bring justice to Nkulula and his family.
ISHR also drew attention to a draft bill currently under discussion supposedly for the protection of human rights defenders in the DRC. If adopted in its current form, this bill will seriously restrict civic space.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders, it is important to highlight that this draft law is incompatible with the declaration and the international obligations of the DRC,” noted Salma El Hosseiny, Human Rights Council Advocate at ISHR. “It restricts the exercise or protection of defenders’ rights and also imposes unnecessary controls on NGOs receiving financial support, and harsh penalties for non-compliance,” she added.
Finally, ISHR highlighted that, as a new member of the Human Rights Council, the DRC must fulfill its international human rights obligations by creating a safe and enabling environment for the promotion and protection of human rights. The government must further invite the Council to maintain high scrutiny on the human rights situation in the country.
At the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, held in Banjul (The Gambia) from 2 May to 22 May, the International Service for Human Rights delivered an oral statement calling for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continuation of the process toward a human rights defenders protection law in Zambia, reparations for Africans and people of African descent, and a binding treaty on environmental rights in Africa.
On 3 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Service for Human Rights co-sponsored a side event on the situation of human rights defenders in the Sahel, organised by the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation against Torture.
On 4 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) officially launched its new report on the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) in the African island states: Cape Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles.
