[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.  The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore the DRC was upgraded to Tier 2.  These efforts included promulgating a new anti-trafficking law and increasing trafficking investigations and prosecutions.  The government also identified more victims.  In coordination with an international organization, the government developed and began implementing case management SOPs and trainings for front-line workers providing assistance to trafficking victims.  However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.  Congolese National Army (FARDC) officials continued coordinating with armed groups, despite widespread reports that such armed groups forcibly recruited and used children as soldiers.  Shelter and services, especially outside of the capital, remained insufficient, and officials continued to conflate trafficking with other crimes, hindering overall anti-trafficking efforts.  Government agencies charged with combating trafficking continued to lack resources and training.  Despite widespread allegations of corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes, the government did not report investigating, prosecuting, or convicting any complicit officials.

Prioritized Recommendations

Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute suspected traffickers, including complicit officials, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms. 

Fully implement and train front-line officials on SOPs to proactively identify trafficking victims, including among vulnerable populations such as individuals in commercial sex, begging, and artisanal mining, and refer victims to appropriate care in coordination with civil society and international organizations. 

Cease support to armed groups that unlawfully recruit or use child soldiers, including in support roles, and provide appropriate protection services to demobilized children. 

Institutionalize training for law enforcement and judicial officials on investigating and prosecuting cases using the 2022 anti-trafficking law. 

Improve efforts to collect and share comprehensive victim identification and law enforcement data on sex trafficking – as distinct from other sexual violence crimes – and forced labor. 

Ensure victims are not inappropriately penalized solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked. 

Increase international law enforcement cooperation to ensure trafficking victims are proactively identified and referred to services. 

Allocate sufficient financial and human resources, including dedicated personnel, for the Agency for Youth and the Fight against Sexual Violence and Trafficking in Persons. 

Amend the definition of trafficking in persons within the penal code to ensure a demonstration of force, fraud, or coercion is not required for sex trafficking offenses involving child victims.