Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Monday, 27 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2006. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Monday, 4 December 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 she has received on the discovery by a United Nations human rights team of a mass grave in an army camp in eastern Ituri district in the Democratic Republic of Congo; what steps the UK is taking to aid the military prosecutors in their investigations; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Our embassy in Kinshasa has been in touch with the MONUC, UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), team who are investigating the discovery of three mass graves in Ituri district, eastern DRC. Our mission in New York is also in touch with the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations. MONUC’s investigations are at an early stage and ongoing.MONUC is providing logistical support to Congolese military prosecutors to aid their investigations. Two people have already been arrested in connection with these deaths. We will urge the Congolese political and military authorities to ensure that full investigations and prosecutions can be carried out.

Secondary information