Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 27 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 March 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answer: The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains poor. Congolese civilians, particularly in eastern DRC, continue to suffer abuses committed by militias, foreign-armed groups and ill-disciplined and poorly controlled Congolese army soldiers. A climate of impunity prevails. Harassment and physical attacks on human rights defenders continue. The transitional government still does not demonstrate commitment to freedom of expression.The UK and international partners frequently remind the Congolese authorities of the need to protect civilians from such abuses and to respect freedom of expression. The EU's work on reform of the army and its pay structure should also help increase the discipline of Congolese soldiers.We believe the recent transfer of former militia leader Thomas Lubanga, the first indictee to be transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, sends a strong signal that grave human rights abuses will not be tolerated.

Secondary information