Democratic Republic of Congo

Questions

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will seek a United Nations-led investigation into the alleged assassination of Floribert Chebeya, the Congolese human rights campaigner and president of La Voix des Sans Voix.[HL884]

7 July 2010 : Column WA50

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are deeply concerned about the death of Floribert Chebeya and the wider implications for human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My honourable friend the Minister for Africa made a statement on 3 June calling for a full, proper, and transparent investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya. President Kabila has since ordered a full investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report of 3 June by Mr Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, which stated that the circumstances of the killing of Floribert Chebeya raised questions about involvement by the government of Congo and called for an independent investigation.[HL885] Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK responded to Mr Philip Alston's report in session at the UN High Commission for Refugees in June. We fully support the work of the Special Rapporteur and have called upon all UN members, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to co-operate fully with the mandate.

We are deeply concerned about the death of Floribert Chebeya and the wider implications for human rights defenders in DRC. The Minister for Africa made a statement on 3 June calling for a full, proper, and transparent investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya. President Kabila has since ordered a full investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The APPG. a member of the Congo Now! coalition this week issued a statement to raise further public and political awareness of the violence and civilian suffering in the Democractic Republic of Congo.

The 30 June 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of Congolese independence. The statement highlights four key areas for the UK government to remain engaged with.

1. Protecting civilians from violence

-Pressing the DRC government to reform its security forces and enforce existing policies to protect civilians. Any support from the UK must be on the conditional basis that the Conglese army (FARDC) adheres to international law.

-Pressing the DRC government to hold individuals to account for abuses and to prevent armed groups continuing to destabilise the DRC.

-Calling on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo (MONUSCO) to enforce its mandate to protect civilians and guarantee civilian safety before any withdrawl of peacekeepers takes place.

2. Addressing the devastating consequences of conflict and sexual violence which particularly affect women and children.

- The UK government should ensure effective humanitarian assistance is provided throughout DRC. Particularly towards vulnerable groups and health/education projects, especially those with the aim of reducing sexual violence.

-Support existing civil society organisations in the DRC in their delivery of aid.

3. Promoting non-military and regional solutions to the conflict

- The UK government should use its diplomatic relationships with governments in the region to encourage a constructive contribution towards peace, implentation of regional agreements and policies that promote freedom of expression and the rule of law.

4. Holding UK companies to account

-The UK government should take the lead in preventing the conflict in eastern Congo being driven by natural resources by addressing the role of UK companies in the mineral trade.

-UK firms should be subject to sanctions if found trading in conflict minerals.

-The passing of legislation requiring UK companies that source minerals from the Great Lakes Region to ensure their supplies are form legitmate sources that do not benefit armed groups. Publication of the due diligence measures each company is undertaking should be a requirement.

-Supporting OECD efforts to establish due diligence standards for companies sourcing minerals from conflict-affected regions and ensuring UK companies are compliant.

-Support initiatives both in the region and internally such as that proposed by the ICGLR which seek to certify minerals as conflict free from their point of origin.

To see more about Congo Now! please visit their website

http://www.congonow.org/