WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2739/98 by James MOORHOUSE to the Council. Human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: 1998-09-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MOORHOUSE
Subjects: Congo, South Africa, democratisation, development aid, human rights













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91998E2739

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2739/98 by James MOORHOUSE to the Council. Human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo  


Official Journal C 118 , 29/04/1999 P. 0130 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739/98by James Moorhouse (ELDR) to the Council(8 September 1998)Subject: Human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of CongoWhat measures has the Council taken and what measures does it intend to take to encourage the Democratic Republic of Congo to respect human rights, release its political detainees and make an effective commitment to democratization?Reply(27 November 1998)The Council shares the objectives cited by the Honourable Member. It has made its position on the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) clear in its declarations of 11, 19 and 27 August 1998. In summary, the Council has called for strict respect of human rights, encouraged an early withdrawal of all intervention forces and warned against retaliation by anybody against local populations of different ethnic origin. The Council has also called urgently for respect and protection of humanitarian aid workers from the EU and third countries and underlined EU readiness to support a political process aimed at finding a peaceful solution.In the first instance, the Council believes that the key to the conflict is to convince all parties, the Government, the rebels and the different external supporters of President Kabila and of the rebels to accept the need to seek a lasting political solution.At the request of the Council, the EU Special Envoy Mr Aldo Ajello has recently visited the capitals of the region, where he offered his services and the support of the Union to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. He raised with President Kabila the need for reconciliation and the risk of growing ethnic hatred as a result of the conflict. In all his contacts, Mr Ajello outlined the Union's position. He also expressed the EU's willingness to play a major role in the reconstruction of the DRC, after resolution of the present difficulties, and - once progress has been made on democracy, the rule of law and human rights - to restore development cooperation programmes with the authorities.The Council is also in contact with the Southern African Development Community Presidency (i.e. South Africa), regarding specific possibilities for EU support (including possible role for the EU Special Envoy Mr Ajello) for a political process aimed at finding a peaceful, negotiated solution.On the question of democratisation in the DRC, the EU Common Position on support for the democratisation process enables the Union to offer assistance as soon as the necessary conditions are at hand. In this regard, while the recent announcement that elections will take place in 1999 as proposed is to be welcomed, the Union is concerned that no arbitrary conditions be attached to the prerogative of all the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to exercise their democratic rights.