The protection of human rights defenders and journalists in the DRC

The political, security, and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains very precarious, with numerous incidents of unrest and human rights violations. In several territories, armed conflict continues between the regular army (FARDC) and various rebel groups, and the population continues to suffer abuses committed by both the FARDC and the rebels. In this overall context, the task of human rights defenders who investigate, denounce human rights violations and abuses, assist victims and demand justice is increasingly perilous. As a result, attempts to silence them, whether by state authorities and services, rebel groups or other non state actors are numerous.