Bachelor Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Sociology - War and Peace, Military, grade: 83%, University of Southampton, language: English, abstract: In 2006 the EU launched its first autonomous military operation under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Mission Artemis, as it was codenamed, was followed by a series of policies to reform the Congolese institutions, the justice system, the police and the army. This dissertation investigates whether these reforms are helping to build lasting peace in the DRC. In particular, this study focuses on the EU's efforts in improving civil and political rights, such as the right to free speech and a free press, as well as freedom of association; the constitution that codified these rights; the administration of democratic elections; and finally, due process in the police, judiciary and army.