Human Rights and Freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo

https://www.humantruth.info/congo_dr_human_rights_and_freedom.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2018

#congo #congo_dr_slavery #DR #human_rights #slavery

Congo, DR Democratic Republic of the Congo [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	190th best
Location	Africa
Population	84.1m₁
Life Expectancy	59.19yrs (2017)₂

Congo, DR is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Congo, DR does better than average in combatting modern slavery₃ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₄. When it comes to most other metrics, Congo, DR does not do well. It does worse than average for supporting press freedom₅, freethought₆, LGBT equality in the 2020s₇ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₈ (amongst the lowest in Africa), opposing gender inequality₉ and in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₁₀ (one of the worst in Africa). From 2016 to 2017, thousands of civilians have been killed by government forces, hundreds of schools attacked, millions displaced from their homes and human rights observers have been executed₁₁. To be amongst the worst countries in the world on so many factors means that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the most difficult places on Earth to be a Human Being.

1. Congo, DR's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#congo,_dr #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Cape Verde	66.3
2	S. Africa	70.7
3	Mauritius	74.9
	...
45	Libya	135.9
46	Ethiopia	136.3
47	Cameroon	139.3
48	Congo, DR	141.0
49	Angola	143.0
50	Mauritania	144.3
51	Equatorial Guinea	147.3
52	Sudan	153.0
53	Eritrea	161.7
	Africa Avg	110.04
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
183	Cameroon	139.3
184	Turkmenistan	139.3
185	Myanmar	139.4
186	Congo, DR	141.0
187	Pakistan	141.3
188	Syria	142.4
189	Angola	143.0
190	Mauritania	144.3
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₃. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₃.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₃, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₃.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary stated:

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continued to experience serious human rights violations, including mass killings in the context of armed conflict and inter-communal violence, a crackdown on dissent and ill-treatment of detainees. People from regions affected by armed conflict, including eastern DRC, were particularly affected amid mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The authorities continued to show a lack of political will to hold the perpetrators of human rights violations to account. The right to education was violated.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₄

President Joseph Kabila Kabange has been in power as President since 2001 after taking over from his assassinated father. He has broken the country's constitution in order to stay in power, and has continually delayed promised elections. Human Rights Watch reports that:

“”
Government officials and security forces systematically sought to silence, repress, and intimidate the political opposition, human rights and prodemocracy activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters. Government security forces and numerous armed groups attacked civilians across the country with devastating consequences. [...]
Throughout 2017, government officials and security forces repeatedly and systematically banned opposition demonstrations, shut media outlets, and prevented opposition leaders from moving freely. They jailed more than 300 opposition leaders and supporters, journalists, and human rights and prodemocracy activists, most of whom were later released. Many were held in secretdetention facilities, without charge or access to family or lawyers.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

All of this complicit behaviour indicates there are large parts of the country's population that share the President's disdain for good governance and moral living.

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better₅
Pos.		2025₅
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
129	Peru	42.88
130	Cameroon	42.75
131	Lebanon	42.62
132	Congo, DR	42.31
133	Oman	42.29
134	El Salvador	41.19
135	Somalia	40.49
136	Libya	40.42
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Congo, DR ranks 132nd in the world regarding supporting press freedom.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₅

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

“Authorities prevented international and Congolese journalists from doing their work, including by arresting them, denying access, or confiscating their equipment and deleting footage. At least around 40 journalists were detained in 2017. The government shut down Congolese media outlets and periodically curtailed access to social media.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

Averages by decade for Congo, DR (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s Average	2010s Average
Congo, DR:	49.29	51.78
World Rank:	147th	⇣ 150th
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₃
Pos.		Total Per 1000₃
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
61=	Rwanda	4.30
62	Slovenia	4.40
63=	Guinea-Bissau	4.50
63=	Congo, DR	4.50
65=	Madagascar	4.60
65=	Niger	4.60
67=	Trinidad & Tobago	4.70
67=	Panama	4.70
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160.

Congo, DR is positioned 63rd in the world in terms of combatting modern slavery.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₆. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₁₇, Eritrea₁₇, Indonesia₁₈) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₁₇, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₁₉.

For more, see:

"The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Averages by decade for Congo, DR (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s Average	2020s Average
Congo, DR:	13.70	4.50
World Rank:	156th	⇡ 63rd
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom

#freedom #politics

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better₁₀
Pos.		2014 Rank₁₀
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
148	Zimbabwe	148
149	Guinea	149
150	Angola	150
151	Congo, DR	151
152	Algeria	152
153	Myanmar	153
154	Venezuela	154
155	Central African Rep.	155
	Africa Avg	114.2
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Congo, DR comes 9th-worst in the world with regard to supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms (amongst the highest in Africa).

The Human Freedom Index published by the Fraser Institute is...

“... a broad measure of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. It uses 79 distinct indicators of personal and economic freedom in the following areas: Rule of Law, Security and Safety, Movement, Religion, Association, Assembly, and Civil Society, Expression, Relationships, Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Access to Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, Regulation of Credit, Labor, and Business. [...]
The highest levels of freedom are in Western Europe, Northern Europe, and North America (Canada and the United States. The lowest levels are in the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. [...]
Countries in the top quartile of freedom enjoy a significant higher per capita income ($37,147) [compared with] the least-free quartile [at] $8,700). The HFI finds a strong correlation between human freedom and democracy.”
"The Human Freedom Index" by The Fraser Institute (2016)₂₀

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.4. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
176=	Yemen	6.5
176=	Uzbekistan	6.5
176=	UAE	6.5
176=	Congo, DR	6.5
176=	Libya	6.5
176=	Nicaragua	6.5
176=	Russia	6.5
176=	Cuba	6.5
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Congo, DR comes 20th-worst in the world when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Congo, DR (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average
Congo, DR:	6.4	6.5	6.3	6.0	6.2
World Rank:	137th	⇣ 144th	⇣ 176th	⇣ 182nd	182nd
World Avg:	4.3	4.2	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.5. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better₈
Pos.		2017 Score₈
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
116=	Burundi	-10
116=	N. Korea	-10
116=	Malaysia	-10
116=	Pakistan	-10
116=	Afghanistan	-10
116=	Congo, DR	-10
116=	Saudi Arabia	-10
116=	Syria	-10
	Africa Avg	-5.6
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Congo, DR is worst in the world when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.6. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₄
Pos.		2009 Treaties₄
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
91=	Monaco	16
91=	Latvia	16
91=	Yemen	16
91=	Congo, DR	16
91=	Burundi	16
91=	Nigeria	16
91=	Benin	16
91=	Gabon	16
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Congo, DR ranks 84th in the world regarding its nominal commitment to Human Rights.

There are many international agreements on human rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of human rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.7. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₁
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₁
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
55	Iceland	7.57
56	Jamaica	7.61
57	Honduras	7.64
58	Congo, DR	7.72
59	Seychelles	7.73
60	Jordan	7.75
61	Madagascar	7.75
62	Cuba	7.80
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Congo, DR comes 58th in the world regarding speed of uptake of HR treaties.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

Congo, DR is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

3.1. Gender Inequality

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #women

Gender Inequality Lower is better₉
Pos.		2022₉
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
147	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.58
148	Gambia	0.59
149	Mauritania	0.60
150	Congo, DR	0.61
151	Mali	0.61
152	Burkina Faso	0.61
153	Sierra Leone	0.61
154	Ivory Coast	0.62
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Congo, DR ranks 17th-worst in the world with regard to opposing gender inequality.

The UN Human Development Reports include statistics on gender equality which take into account things like maternal mortality, access to political power (seats in parliament) and differences between male and female education rates. Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchalism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

In the 2010s, Congo DR worsened and became one of the worst 10 countries for Gender Inequality.

Averages by decade for Congo, DR (for the ranks, lower is better):

Gender Inequality	2000s Average	2010s Average
Congo, DR:	0.66	0.65
World Rank:	138th	⇣ 156th
World Avg:	0.41	0.37

3.2. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
154=	Swaziland	1968
154=	Nauru	1968
156=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1970
156=	Congo, DR	1970
156=	Yemen	1970
159	Switzerland	1971
160	Bangladesh	1972
161=	Bahrain	1973
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

In terms of the year from which women could participate in democracy, Congo, DR ranks 156th in the world.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₇
Pos.		Total Score₇
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
162=	Equatorial Guinea	-4.09
163	Niger	-4.12
164	Bahrain	-4.13
165=	Congo, DR	-4.13
165=	St Lucia	-4.13
167	Mali	-4.19
168	Grenada	-4.83
169=	Sri Lanka	-4.87
	Africa Avg	-10.44
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215.

Congo, DR is positioned 165th in the world regarding LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₂₂. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₂₃. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₂₄. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s₂₅_,₂₆. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

" LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Penal Code criminalizes same-sex acts since 1940; imprisonment terms

ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Democratic Republic of Congo had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination.

Averages by decade for Congo, DR (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average	2020s Average
Congo, DR:	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.13
World Rank:	128th	⇣ 129th	⇣ 141st	141st	⇣ 151st	⇣ 165th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₆
Pos.		2021₆
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
163=	Vietnam	4.0
163=	Tunisia	4.0
163=	Rwanda	4.0
163=	Congo, DR	4.0
163=	Lebanon	4.0
163=	Cuba	4.0
163=	Libya	4.0
170=	Nigeria	4.3
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

In terms of freethought, Congo, DR ranks 161st in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₂₇. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₂₈. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₂₉ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₃₀. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₃₁. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan₆_,₃₂ and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia₆_,₃₃.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₃₄. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₂₈, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₃₅ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₃₆ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

"Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).