DRC: Intervention in HR

Key Facts and Figures:

Life expectancy - 59 (M) 63 (F)

Population estimated at 101.8 million (2020)

Wealth of natural resources but one of the poorest countries due to political instability (GDP - $785)

High IMR MMR

What Are The Main HR Issues in DRC?

Civilian loss of life, disappearances, torture, rape

People displaced from their homes (IDP's) and refugees

Limited access to health care and education

High rates of IMR, MMR

Food insecurity; high incidence of malnutrition

Child recruitment by military groups

People trafficking

Forced labour

Domestic violence

Limited land and property rights for women

Global Governance Strategies in DRC:

Work of the UN:

Co-operates with the Congolese government to achieve stabilisation and development in the DRC

The UN Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO) has replaced the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC)

OHCHR - human rights issues, especially in the east

WHO - responding to Ebola and measles outbreaks

Work of NGOs: operate in the current areas of conflict

CARE -

Helping to reduce mortality

Strengthen local governance

Improve gender equality

Reduce vulnerability to social injustices especially for political migrants

ActionAid -

Working to improve community resilience by providing agricultural tools, seeds and training to promote self-sufficiency and provide access to education for children

USAID -

Helps fund NGOs and development programmes

Work of DRC Government:

Opportunities For Stability, Growth and Development:

Stability:

January 2019 - first peaceful transfer of power in the country's history

UN and African Union - established peace and security and HR treaties available for the government to sign and ratify

Growth:

Potential to become one of the richest economies in Africa (mineral resources)

NGOs are promoting economic growth at local scale through training and employment in agriculture and development of grassroots women's organisations

Development:

HDI has improved slowly (0.459, 179th, 2018)

17 SDGs, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN and civil society organisations)

Challenges of Inequality and Injustices:

Inequality:

Gender:

Subjected to domestic violence

Subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour

Many young children are forcibly recruited as child soldiers

Limited access to healthcare and education (rural areas most affected)

Injustice:

Vulnerable urban street children, orphaned or separated from their families need protection

74% of population live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day; many are driven into artisanal mining with dangerous working conditions and exploitation (unfair prices)

New president (2019) - made positive changes by creating a coalition government

Aims include improvements in governance, economic development, safety and access to healthcare, sanitation and education

Intervention aims to protect civilians, humanitarian personnel and HR defenders under imminent threat of physical violence

Supports the DRC government in attempting to consolidate peace efforts - over 18,000 personnel are deployed near Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi borders