§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate human rights abuses relating to the disappearance of refugees from the camps south of Kisangari in rebel-held Congo-Zaire; and if he will make a statement. [13976]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe fully support the mission of the UN human rights inquiry team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The inquiry team will investigate alleged human rights violations between 1993 and 1997—including the disappearance of refugees from the Kisingani area—throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; what diplomatic relations the United Kingdom has with that country; and if he will make a statement. [13501]
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd[holding answer 3 November 1997]: We enjoy normal diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. HM ambassador and diplomatic staff in Kinshasa are in regular contact with all levels of the Government, and I met President Kabila during the EU ministerial troika visit to Kinshasa on 4–5 August. We have made clear that our future relationship with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the resumption of development assistance, is conditional upon respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.