Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 March 2010. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Thursday, 11 March 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the merits of extending the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1698 (2006) to include all political and military leaders responsible for the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Answer: UN Security Council Resolution 1698 states that political and military leaders recruiting or using children in armed conflict in violation of applicable international law; and individuals committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction and forced displacement be subject to sanctions. We fully support this measure as stated in the declaration.

Secondary information