To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken (a) in the UK and (b) in the Council of Ministers in respect of (i) leaders and (ii) members of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda based in European countries; and if he will make a statement. (303706)

I have been asked to reply.

We have been working closely with the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes, to encourage a coordinated EU approach to the Europe-based leadership of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). We have also worked in the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on some of these individuals under UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1807. There are currently no indications of the presence in the UK of any of the leading members of the FDLR.

The UK is committed to enforcing the UN sanctions regime on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We will not hesitate to support sanctions against any person or company providing support to armed groups in the region where there is sufficient evidence to do so.

We have been in touch with the Group of Experts, established by UNSCR 1807, throughout the process of producing their report, and have offered as much assistance as possible to aid in its enquiries. The UK has also shared information on the activities of militia groups, such as the FDLR, as requested by the Group of Experts and we will continue to do so. We continue to work with our European partners to disrupt lines of communication between the FDLR in DRC and FDLR support networks, for example, closing relevant websites.