Democratic Republic of the Congo faces rising human rights concerns

The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) documented 2,996 human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the first half of 2026, affecting 6,189 victims. While this represents a 10% decrease compared to the second half of 2025, the number of incidents has increased by 8% over a full year. UNJHRO noted that the decrease may be influenced by documentation and reporting capacities rather than actual improvements in security.

The majority of violations, totaling 2,607 incidents affecting 5,032 victims, occurred in provinces affected by armed conflict, particularly in the east due to ongoing clashes and territorial shifts involving the AFC/M23.

Separately, civil society organizations have raised alarms regarding the increasing use of bladed weapons—such as machetes, axes, and iron bars—during political demonstrations. This trend has been observed among both opposition and pro-government protesters, contributing to an escalation of violence. Human rights defenders are calling on both protest organizers to better manage militants and the Congolese state to strengthen preventive measures to protect human rights.