- Rights group has called on DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to immediately halt plans for mass executions of over 170 death row prisoners transferred to Angenga prison.
- Amnesty has condemned the move, citing concerns over fairness, human rights, and appalling prison conditions.
- Since the DRC’s resumption of executions in March 2024 after a 20-year moratorium, there has been a sharp increase in death sentences.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing mounting pressure from Amnesty International following the transfer of over 170 death row inmates to Angenga prison.
Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Sarah Jackson, described the development as “absolutely appalling,” warning that these prisoners may face imminent execution amid opaque legal processes and alarming prison conditions.
“President Felix Tshisekedi must immediately, publicly, and unambiguously halt any plans to execute people in Angenga prison or elsewhere,” Jackson urged. Amnesty has also called on the DRC Parliament to establish a moratorium on executions as a step toward abolishing the death penalty entirely.
Inhumane conditions at Angenga Prison
The transfer of prisoners to Angenga, a remote facility in northwest DRC, has drawn severe criticism for its dire conditions. The prison has a grim reputation, with numerous detainees previously reported to have died from starvation and disease.
Amnesty is calling for immediate action to ensure that transferred inmates are moved to facilities accessible to lawyers, families, and human rights groups.
“Authorities must stop mass transfers to remote prisons,” said Jackson. “Those detained must have their rights to legal representation, family visitation, and humane conditions upheld.”
Prisoners linked to urban violence
DRC’s Justice Minister, Constant Mutamba, has defended the transfer, stating that the prisoners, aged between 18 and 35, were linked to urban violence and criminal gangs known as “Kuluna.” Mutamba has previously argued that executions are a necessary deterrent to combatting urban crime—a claim Amnesty has dismissed as lacking evidence.
Mutamba’s rhetoric has included threats of arrest, conviction, and the death penalty against suspects even before they stand trial. This raises serious concerns about the fairness and legality of the trials that have led to these death sentences, many of which were handed down by military courts.
Death sentences on the rise under Tshisekedi
Since the DRC government’s announcement in March 2024 to resume executions after a 20-year moratorium, there has been a sharp increase in death sentences. Amnesty International has documented numerous cases where these sentences followed unfair trials, particularly against alleged members of criminal gangs and armed groups.
The human rights group has consistently opposed the death penalty, arguing that it is both inhumane and ineffective in addressing crime. “Resuming executions would not solve DRC’s security challenges but would instead deepen the country’s human rights crisis,” Jackson stated.
A call for justice and reform
Amnesty International’s call to action comes at a crucial time for the DRC. The organization has urged President Tshisekedi to take bold steps toward justice and reform, starting with a public commitment to halting executions. It has also emphasized the importance of legislative action to establish a moratorium on the death penalty, paving the way for its full abolition.
This latest development underscores broader issues within the DRC’s justice system, including the lack of transparency, unfair trials, and the misuse of the death penalty as a tool for political control. International watchdogs and human rights groups are now closely monitoring the DRC’s response.
The global fight against the death penalty
The situation in the DRC is part of a broader global debate about the use of capital punishment. Amnesty International has reiterated its opposition to the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the nature of the crime or the characteristics of the offender.
“The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment,” said Jackson. By highlighting the DRC’s case, Amnesty aims to galvanize international opposition to capital punishment and encourage other nations to adopt similar reforms.
For now, the international community waits, hoping for decisive action that upholds the principles of justice, fairness, and humanity.
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