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Democratic Republic of Congo

Answer

The exploitation of civilians, use of forced labour and exploitation of children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are of serious concern to the UK. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) January 2010 report highlighted the natural resource sector as a particular area where armed groups use forced labour. I spoke to Prime Minister Muzito when I was in DRC about the importance for the country of mineral sector reform. We are working with the International Community to help the Government of DRC reform their natural resource sector. I also spoke to President Kabila about ending impunity for all human rights abuses including the use of child soldiers. We support the work of UN peacekeeping mission to DRC (MONUC) in reintegrating militia groups which has led to children being released into the care of child protection organisations. Through the EU advisory and assistance mission for security reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUSEC) we are funding a biometric census project which provides accurate personnel figures for FARDC regiments and allows child soldiers to be successfully identified and removed. Alongside abduction one of the major factors that persuades children to join militia groups is the lack of access to education. As part of our work to address this, the Department for International Development provides £500,000 funding to projects improving access to primary education. We do not have any plans to ask the World Trade Organisation to establish a study group on the protection of workers.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3157; 718 c430-1WA

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Children Armed forces Protection Democratic Republic of the Congo Exploitation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk