CONGO AND THE AFRICAN GREAT LAKES REGION

The human rights situation across the Democratic Republic of Congo remains dire, with more than 5.2 million people internally displaced and nearly a quarter of the population in severe food insecurity.  Significant human rights issues included: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; forced disappearances; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary detention; political prisoners or detainees. The African Great Lakes are a series of freshwater lakes constituting the part of the Rift Valley lakes in and around the East African Rift. Recently, the lakes have been heavily polluted by chemicals and overfishing caused dramatic consequences.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Background

Women's Rights in Congo

The African Great Lakes

The African Great Lakes are important sources of fishes and water for domestic use, are used as avenues of transport, and receive agricultural, domestic and industrial effluents and atmospheric residues. Some of the lakes have been invaded by the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes. Agricultural activities, deforestation and devegetation of the catchment areas have increased siltation, and led to loss of suitable habitats and biodiversity

Militias and violence