Democratic Republic of Congo

The conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the deadliest in African history. Since it began in August 1998, it is estimated that the fighting and its aftermath (poverty, disease, and malnutrition) have claimed more than five million lives.

Although the war formally ended in 2003, fighting continued across the country. In 2008 the situation deteriorated further, leaving the country on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 civilians were displaced and left without sufficient food, water, medical supplies or shelter.

Throughout 2010 government forces and armed groups continued to commit serious human rights violations across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including extrajudicial executions, rapes and arbitrary detentions. 

• Read more in our 2011 Annual Report
• Find out about child soldiers in DRC

Demanding justice for neglected victims The people of the DRC have suffered war crimes and crimes against humanity - including torture, sexual violence and the use of child soldiers - on an huge scale. Yet only a handful of perpetrators have been brought to justice. We are calling for an immediate end to this impunity. Find out more and read the report

Further information

• News and reports from our research headquarters
• Watch videos about DRC on our sister site Protectthehuman.com