DRC: Establish an internationalized judicial mechanism now

For more than 30  years, people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have lost family members, escaped burning homes, endured rape, torture, and displacement, and waited for justice that has never arrived. Send a message to President Tshisekedi to set up an international justice process to prosecute people responsible for serious crimes committed in the DRC between 1993 and 2003.

What’s the problem?

After three decades of atrocities, authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the global community must take bold action to end impunity, secure accountability and deliver justice for survivors and victims of the conflict by establishing an internationalized judicial mechanism to prosecute Congolese and foreign actors, responsible of crimes under international law in the DRC.

Violations persist today because past crimes under international law have not been effectively prosecuted. The UN Mapping Report documented crimes by Congolese and foreign armies, as well as armed groups.

More than 25 years after the Kisangani Wars, justice for victims and survivors remains elusive. in 2023 Kishishe families were shattered when women were raped, husbands and sons were executed by the Rwandan-backed M23. In Goma and Bukavu, civilians have faced unlawful detention, torture, and ransom. In Beni, Lubero, and Mambasa, communities fear attacks by the Islamic-linked Ugandan armed group, the Allied Democratic Forces.

Congolese armed forces have failed to protect civilians and have committed serious crimes, including rape and other violations of international law. Armed groups supporting government forces have also abused civilians.

Survivors continue to speak out. Civil society organizations continue to document and expose abuses. Young people are organizing, and families demand truth, justice, reparations, and assurances that these crimes will not be repeated.

This can change if millions of people act together. Push Congolese authorities to establish an internationalized justice mechanism that will investigate and prosecute both Congolese and foreign actors suspected of having committed crimes under international law in the DRC.

Help turn survivors’ courage into justice.

What you can do to help?

Send a message to President Tshisekedi urging him to establish an internationalized judicial mechanism to bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes committed in the DRC between 1993 and 2003.