§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to end human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [133558]
§ Mr. MullinThe UK strongly condemns all abuses of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the climate of impunity which exists there. We have worked hard, with international partners, for an end to the regional conflicts which perpetuated the appalling human rights situation. Instruments available to tackle human rights abuses include:
- continued diplomatic dialogue with the DRC authorities;
- the presence of the United Nations Organisation Mission in Congo (MONUC—who have specialist human rights staff);
- the democracy support institutions set up alongside the Transitional National Government in Kinshasa (including the National Human Rights Observatory and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission). The UK is actively considering ways in which it can support the work of these institutions;
- the valuable work of the many human rights NGOs operating in the DRC.
The Government also note the announcement in July 2003 by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that he intends to follow closely the situation in the DRC.