§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What conclusions they have drawn from the illegal conscription of Rwandan Hutu refugees by the Congolese army from camps under the authority of the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees; whether they have provided assistance to these camps; and whether they have made any representations on this issue to the United Nations. [HL20]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We are concerned about recent reports that a number of Rwandan Hutus have left refugee camps in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) to join the fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have raised this matter with UNHCR, who say they do not have any evidence of conscription. Some reports suggest that the refugees are forcing the administrators of the camps to let them leave. UNHCR condemns any recruitment of refugees and asylum seekers for military action and has called on states hosting asylum seekers and refugees to take all necessary measures to prevent activities which could70WA further destabilise the region or undermine the humanitarian and civilian nature of the camps. On 19 November, the Security Council adopted a resolution underlining the unacceptability of using refugees to achieve military purposes. The European Union has allocated 500,000 ecu for humanitarian projects to be implemented through UNHCR in the Republic of Congo.