Death penalty in DR Congo

In early June, the trial of 51 people involved in a coup attempt in May began. According to local media, they include Marcel Malanga, son of coup leader Christian Malanga, as well as Americans Tyler Christian Thomson, Zalman Pollum Benjamin and Nkele Mbuela Ruffin. The court imposed the harshest sentences: the death penalty for criminal association and for terrorism. The Democratic Republic of Congo retains the death penalty in its common and military law. In 2023, about 33 people received a death sentence and over 800 people were on death row. The last execution in the Democratic Republic of Congo took place in 2003, after which a moratorium on executions was imposed. June 25, 2024. The government's decision to reinstate executions is a gross injustice to those sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo and shows a callous disregard for the right to life. This is a huge step backwards for the country and another sign that the Tshisekedi government is backtracking on its commitment to respect human rights. This decision will put the lives of those sentenced to death at risk, including those who were put on death row after unfair trials and politically motivated charges. Even Tshisekdi has described the justice system as inefficient and ineffective. President Tshisekedi had described it as "sick". This move by the government means that many innocent people are now at risk of execution. This is all the more alarming given the ongoing crackdown on political opponents, human rights activists and journalists. Amnesty International is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty.