During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss a recent UN draft report that documents the worst human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 1993 and 2003.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Democratic Republic of the Congo (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

VERGIAT, Marie-Christine (GUE/NGL, FR)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

DE KEYSER, Véronique (S&D, BE)

DURANT, Isabelle (Greens/EFA, BE)

KACZMAREK, Filip (EPP, PL)

CHASTEL, Olivier (Renew, BE)

Human rights in the Republic of Congo: extracts of the debate

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, The EU is very worried about the Human Rights'position in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is concerned about the situation of human rights defenders.We have seen recent attacks against those human rights defenders.

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, A few weeks ago the population in the North of Kivu in the West of Congo was again turned into victims of collective rape which was perpetrated a number of criminal groups, the FDLR and other local allies, The Mayi-Mayi over a number of days, most recent figures we have confirmed by the UN show there were a minimum of 500 victims of these atrocities.

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, The issue is that it is not just the rebels who are committing crimes time and time again but the forces of law and oreder too are committing atrocities which are just as outrageous as those committed by those known as criminals and the judicial system in Congo is simply not operating at all and what is a stake is the construction of a legal and judicial system which means it is possible in the longer term to bring the perpetrators of this atrocities to Court. therefore we have got to battle against this impunity which is taking such a heavy toll on the people of Congo. and it should be said that example should come from the top down.

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, Let me finish by saying how much stands besides the DRC fighting for justice and fighting to combat impunity.

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, It is our inten tion to continue dialogue with the Congolese Representatives to make as much progress as possible, The EU is particularly committed to cooperation in the area of justice, police, the army and human rights,without forgetting support ot the victims.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Filip KACZMAREK (EPP, PL), Rape is an inhuman form of treatment , that's the only thing that has been said and that is no way of going about settling the problem. Also the UN troops were involved in these scandals of sexual violence and they're accused of forcing young girls into prostitution. there is apparently no will to combat the phenomenon. The EU has to focus on aid to the victims, this is increasingly urgent because in afew weeks time there is going to be a Summit between the EU Member States and the ACP.

SOUNDBITE (French), V&#233;ronique DE KEYSER (S&amp;D, BE), Sexual genocide which continues to ravish the Congo and tens of thousands of victims year upon year, we are left speechless.

SOUNDBITE (French), V&#233;ronique DE KEYSER (S&amp;D, BE), This is why we request the Commission to look at European legislation perhaps based on the conflict mineral legislation in America stating that we do not accept our mobile phones, our computers and other gadgets to be made with minerals which are actually conflict minerals , there are like the blood diamonds.

SOUNDBITE (French), Isabelle DURANT (Greens/EFA, BE), It is absolutely unacceptable that we carry on pillaging resources in this way. there is a need for legislation, the head of the government in Congo has banned the exportation of many of these products but there is still illegal mining going on and there is still illegal experts and we know very well the army is in a position where it is involved in crime and in the pillaging of resources, not just in violence and the rape of women.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), The increasing interest of some countries particularly China in exploiting these resources has embolded the Kabila regime to neglect its responsibilities regarding human rights ans the rule of law, China itself has a lamentable human rigths record and the UN actively defends the actions of countries like the DRC with which it does business. It is therefore no surprise to me that of the 3 trials under way at the international criminal court , all involve nationals of the DRC.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), How long still are we going to leave things rot in impunity because you yourself said M Minister t, we know that the security forces are involved in these crimes . Don't you think it is time we changed our tune. I would imagine that things are not too straight forward in the Council of Ministers where some major EU countries, least their political leaders, and we know how committed they are to human rights' protection are not open to genuine intervention because they want to roll out the red carpet for M Kabila.