Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 13 July 2005.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Arms Embargo

Question: My Lords, are there not a number of serious allegations—apart from those made by Amnesty International—in the report of the group of experts appointed under Security Council Resolution 1533? Are we not obliged by Security Council Resolution 1596 to investigate the activities of our nationals when they are alleged to be involved in the operation of aircraft used for the transfer of arms? Does that not require us to launch investigations, rather than waiting for evidence to be submitted to us? Why has the United Nations not published the report of the group of experts which was meant to be submitted to it on 12 July? What is the reason for the delay?

Answer: My Lords, I am not aware that there has been a delay in the publication of the report. The group of experts has continued its work, and the monitoring of the implementation of the arms embargo to the DRC in the latter part of 2004 has been the subject of its most recent work. William Churchill was involved, and has criticised some of that early work. The report was made in March 2005, and the group’s response is being examined by a committee of the United Nations Security Council. As I understand the matter, the group of experts is being encouraged to continue to observe the highest procedural and evidentiary standard in its work. It continues to work, and I believe that we should encourage it to do so.

Secondary information