JOINT POLICY BRIEF - DR Congo new presidency and Universal Periodic Review urging the EU and its member states to issue strong recommendations on the human rights situation in the country

The upcoming cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will take place in a particular context with the coming to power of a new president. This change of head of state should not lead states parties to the DRC’s UPR to minimise the alarming human rights situation in the country. In this Policy Brief, EurAc and the CCPR-Centre urge the European Union and its member states to remind the DRC government of the commitments made during its second cycle of the UPR; especially those regarding the organisation of transparent and credible elections, the respect and promotion of press and media freedom as well as the protection of human rights defenders. The EU should also issue new recommendations and concerns regarding corruption as well as the management of natural resources, which represent a serious threat to the human rights in the country.