§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their latest assessment of the situation in Zaire with reference to the violation of human rights and whether they have met representatives from Movement National Congolaise.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe continued political crisis in Zaire and lack of government authority has led to growing insecurity for the general population, with widespread abuses of human rights, caused notably by the lack of control of the security forces. We, with our EC partners, have consistently reiterated our support for Prime Minister Tshisekedi and the efforts of the national conference. We attach great importance to the completion of the democratic process centred on the national conference, to enable a peaceful transition towards democracy, economic stabilisation and the restoration of peace and security to the country. We have not had recent contacts with the Movement National Congolaise.