Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 February 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps (a) the UK Government are taking and (b) he is taking through (i) civil society organisations, (ii) the United Nations and (iii) other means to protect civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo from intimidation, murder and other humanitarian atrocities; and what assessment he has made of the steps needed to improve measures to protect civilians in that country.

Answer: The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the ultimate responsibility to protect civilians in its territory. But years of civil war and decades of misrule have damaged the Government's ability to offer that protection. As well as rebel groups, unpaid and poorly-trained Congolese soldiers are also a threat to the civilians that they are supposed to protect. Reforming the army and security sector is therefore a high priority. The UK is working on this bilaterally and through providing experts to the EU army and police reform missions in DRC. The UN mission in DRC, with strong UK support, plays a key role both in protecting civilians and through its robust military action, often supporting Congolese military efforts, to neutralise the armed groups operating on DRC territory. The UK has allocated £55 million of bilateral support to DRC this financial year, part of which will support local civil society organisations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 443 c296W;443 c296W; 52950
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Armed forces Development aid Civilians Protection Police Peacekeeping operations Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk