Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the deaths caused in Kinshasa last week by fighting and civil unrest. [HL3003]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman)
On 23 March, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary issued a statement deploring the violence that was taking place in Kinshasa. Our ambassador in Kinshasa, with his EU colleagues, made a public statement on 27 March condemning the disproportionate force used during the fighting, the civilian lives lost and the human rights abuses carried out by troops from both sides. He has also spoken both to President Kabila and to Senator Bemba to say that their actions were unacceptable.

With international partners, we continue to encourage both sides to settle their differences through negotiation. This is vital not only for peace, but for the innocent lives of their fellow citizens, who have suffered enough. We are encouraging the Congolese Parliament to play a constructive role to ensure that the progress towards democracy represented by the recent historic elections is not undermined.

Lord Alton of Liverpool
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the outcome of the representations made to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the safety and health of the human rights lawyer and opposition Member of Parliament, Mrs Marie Thérèse Nlandu, following her imprisonment. [HL3004]

Lord Triesman
The Government are closely following the continued detention of Mme Nlandu. Our ambassador in Kinshasa has raised the case with President Kabila and Congolese Ministers. In December 2006, we and European partners raised our concerns that Mme Nlandu’s human rights, particularly her access to legal representation, were not being respected. Subsequently Mme Nlandu was granted access to a lawyer. But her trial continues to be delayed. Following our most recent representations, in February and March, President Kabila has promised to look into the case. Embassy officials in Kinshasa have attended some of Mme Nlandu’s court hearings and visited her in prison last month. We continue to monitor her situation and treatment closely.