HL Deb 08 November 2004 vol 666 cc51-2WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) will take to investigate allegations of sexual violence detailed in the Amnesty International report Democratic Republic of Congo: Mass rape—time for remedies of 26 October, including the allegations against MONUC personnel referred to by the United Nations Secretary-General in his report to the Security Council of 16 August. [HL4683]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

In United Nations Security Council Resolution 1565, adopted on 1 October, the Security Council expressed its grave concern at the allegations of sexual exploitation and misconduct by civilian and military personnel of MONUC, and requested the Secretary-General to continue fully to investigate allegations and to take appropriate action in accordance with the Secretary-General's bulletin on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.

The resolution further encourages MONUC to conduct training for personnel aimed at ensuring full compliance with its code of conduct on sexual misconduct.