Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 April 2010.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (a) the government of Rwanda, and (b) the African Union, and through the European Union and the United Nations, on the extradition of Laurent Nkunda to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face trial for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Kivus.

Answer: We have made no representations to the Governments of Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as to how they should handle this issue, nor have we discussed the case in the fora of the African Union, EU or UN. We understand that detailed bilateral discussions, on a political and legal level, are under way between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the case of Laurent Nkunda to establish whether the legal problems in extradition, including the DRC’s retention of the death penalty, can be overcome. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3194; 718 c390-1WA
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Crimes against humanity Extradition War crimes Democratic Republic of the Congo Rwanda Nkunda, Laurent
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk