In a recent event that has sparked widespread outrage, the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to lift the moratorium on the death penalty. This decision, strongly criticized by human rights defender and Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, sparked strong reactions within civil society.
Denis Mukwege vigorously denounced this measure, describing it as unconstitutional and illustrating a worrying authoritarian drift within the country. According to him, this decision jeopardizes efforts to protect human rights and risks further compromising the already fragile situation of the Congolese judicial system.
Justice in the DRC has long been criticized for its lack of independence and its poor functioning. The judicial system struggles to guarantee a fair and impartial trial, and the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty only aggravates this worrying situation.
Furthermore, studies have repeatedly shown that the death penalty has no deterrent effect on crime. On the contrary, it risks reinforcing the shortcomings of the Congolese judicial system and undermining the fundamental rights of individuals.
Denis Mukwege thus calls for a total abolition of the death penalty in the DRC and insists on the need for an in-depth reform of the security and justice sectors to guarantee a rule of law that respects fundamental freedoms.
This courageous position by Denis Mukwege recalls the crucial importance of defending human rights and promoting a fair and transparent judicial system in the Democratic Republic of Congo.