### The Democratic Republic of Congo: Towards a New Era of Executions?
The debate on the death penalty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered a particularly dark chapter with the recent announcement of imminent executions, following the transfer of nearly a hundred death row inmates to the high-security prison of Angenga. Amnesty International, through its Deputy Regional Director, Sarah Jackson, has expressed its concerns about the conditions of detention and the risks of repeated executions in the DRC. But more than a question of human rights, this situation raises fundamental concerns about crime, justice and the future of Congolese society.
#### A Response to Crime?
The justification put forward by the Congolese Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, is based on the need for a firm response to the rise of banditry, particularly in Kinshasa. By calling the prisoners “urban bandits” or “Kuluna”, the government seeks to legitimize a policy of drastic repression. The situation in Kinshasa, a metropolis in full transition, illustrates the tension between the need for public security and respect for civil rights.
According to recent data, urban crime has indeed increased over the last decade, exacerbated by deep socio-economic problems, including unemployment and poverty. However, statistics show that recidivism among death row inmates, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, tends to demonstrate that coercive measures, such as capital punishment, do not resolve the root causes of delinquency.
#### The Death Penalty Gear
Since the resumption of executions in March 2024, the climate in the DRC is not only likely to generate social tensions, but also to lead to judicial abuses. On the one hand, military courts have rushed to hand down death sentences, without adequate oversight, based on mere suspicions of gang membership. On the other hand, documented cases of injustice and abuse of power in the DRC justice system cast doubt on the reliability of these sentences.
Amnesty International rightly denounces the ineffectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent. Comparative studies worldwide, including in countries such as the United States and Japan, show that crime does not necessarily decrease with the implementation of the death penalty and that other solutions, such as improving social services and access to more transparent justice systems, can be more effective.
#### An Evolving Public Opinion
This decision to reinstate large-scale executions is all the more worrying as it comes in a context of growing distrust in institutions. Human rights violations, lack of transparency blocked by sometimes arbitrary judicial systems have led to a negative perception of justice in the DRC. Amnesty International’s call for a moratorium on executions finds a favorable echo not only among human rights defenders, but also among a population tired of recurring cycles of violence and impunity.
It is crucial to foster spaces for dialogue where citizens can discuss the future of the death penalty and explore alternative avenues. Local and international initiatives can promote rehabilitation programs for former prisoners and offer psychological support to both victims and criminals. In doing so, the Congolese government could consider an integrated security policy that does not rely only on punitive repression, but on rehabilitation and community support.
#### Conclusion: What Prospects for the DRC?
The current situation in the DRC is not simply a question of the death penalty; It is part of a broader issue of distrust in the justice system, political instability, and social despair. At a time when the country is striving for democratic renewal and stability, the issue of human rights and the future of those sentenced to death must be thoroughly rethought.
It is imperative that the DRC reflect on its core values and consider alternatives to the death penalty that promote human dignity and justice. A moratorium on executions, instead of an endless punitive response, could offer a glimmer of hope and a chance for reconciliation for a country that deserves a peaceful and prosperous future. Fatshimetrie.org will continue to closely monitor the evolution of this critical situation, calling for positive change for human rights and justice in the DRC.