Human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Paul Nsapu highlights the contrast between Kinshasa and the east

During a recent public intervention, Paul Nsapu, the President of the National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH), provided a detailed and nuanced assessment of the human rights landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While he acknowledged certain legislative milestones achieved recently, his analysis revealed a country divided by two distinct realities regarding the protection of citizens.

Systemic failures in government-controlled zones

In the provinces under the effective jurisdiction of the central government, the challenges are largely structural. Paul Nsapu observed frequent violations of civil and political rights, alongside significant deficits in economic and social rights. These include the right to stable employment, quality healthcare, and accessible education.

The CNDH leader attributed these persistent issues to the cumulative failures of successive administrations. According to his analysis, a chronic lack of development and a failure to improve the standard of living for the general population have created an environment where basic socio-economic rights remain unfulfilled for many Congolese citizens.

The collapse of fundamental rights in the east

The situation is far more critical in the eastern part of the country, specifically within North Kivu, South Kivu, and sections of Ituri. In these conflict-affected regions, Paul Nsapu warned that the very “hard core” of human rights is being systematically dismantled. This includes the most fundamental protections: the right to life, the right to security, and basic individual freedoms.

He explicitly linked this deterioration to the presence of the Rwandan army and the activities of its local proxies. These forces operate in territories that currently fall outside the control of Kinshasa, leading to a daily reality of violence and insecurity for the local population. In these zones, the struggle is not just for socio-economic improvement, but for the basic right to exist in safety.