In May 2017, the first draft law on the protection and responsibilities of human rights defenders for national implementation, approved by the Senate, was introduced at the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This draft was largely based on the ISHR model law, and is considered by civil society actors to be a good and comprehensive document for protecting defenders.

Unfortunately, the draft has not been approved by the National Assembly, who have instead proposed a much more restrictive proposal that imposed many limiting criteria upon the protection of defenders. Because of this disagreement, no policy for the protection of defenders has yet been approved.

Download the original document next to here in French.