Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 July 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 July 2017. It was answered by Rory Stewart (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 July 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will support adoption of UN sanctions against those who impede implementation of the 31 December agreement on the Democratic Republic of Congo and who commit human rights violations in (a) that country and (b) the Kasai region of that country.

Answer: The political and human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is deeply concerning. The UK has supported the adoption of EU sanctions against individuals responsible for obstructing the democratic process in the DRC and who have committed human rights violations in the Kasai region and elsewhere. Should there continue to be no progress towards full implementation of the 31 December agreement and a continuation of the human rights violations taking place across that country, including in the Kasais, the UK would support further pressure on those responsible. While action by the UN Security Council is one option, we would also consider further EU sanctions, if required.

Secondary information