§ Mr. Laxton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the treatment of members of political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to the UDPS. [143662]
§ Mr. Mullin:Political parties, including the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) now enjoy a considerable degree of freedom of speech and of activity. New laws for registration and financing of political parties are on 732W the agenda of the National Assembly of the DRC. Some political parties, newly formed from rebel movements in the east, do not want to register under the former Government's legislation until these laws are passed. With our support, the independent Electoral Commission and the High Media Authority (both civil society institutions) are monitoring closely.
§ Mr. Laxton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [143691]
§ Mr. Mullin:The UN Special Rapporteuse on Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported to the Security Council in October 2003 on the current situation. We remain concerned about the high level of human rights violations across the country which she reported, particularly in the east.
Many violations committed during the war are also coming to light now that the fighting has reduced and the civilian population has more access to information, to the UN force (MONUC) and to NGOs. The new civil society institutions, particularly the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Human Rights Observatoire, will need to work with the Transitional National Government to deal with past and current abuses. The international community, including the UK, is offering political, financial and technical support to these Commissions.