Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 April 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 April 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 representations he has made to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on (a) prohibiting physical and sexual abuse of children by law enforcement personnel, (b) creating child protection units in all major cities, (c) outlawing churches which practise abusive child deliverance ceremonies and (d) providing rehabilitative centres for children as an alternative to prison.

Answer: The UK frequently reminds the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities of the need to protect the rights of all vulnerable groups, especially children, and to bring to justice all perpetrators of abuse. We and EU colleagues have focused on eliminating abuses committed by security personnel. On 23 January, we and international partners presented President Kabila with a dossier of serious abuses committed by Congolese soldiers, which hon. Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group followed up on 6 April. We continue to support the UN Peacekeeping Mission's work in the human rights field, including their child protection units in major cities.As part of our presidency of the EU, the UK led an initiative to raise awareness of the problem of so-called ““child witches”” in DRC. We continue to work with the UN, civil society groups, established churches and the Congolese Government to address this problem and bring those who abuse children to justice. The UK has contributed to training programmes for justice sector workers, which includes training on child protection and the proper treatment of children within the justice system.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 65706; 445 c1149-50W;445 c1149-50W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Wednesday, 26 April 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Children Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk