The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that the Banyamulenge community in the UK are profoundly dismayed and outraged about the ongoing genocide and disastrous humanitarian crisis faced by the Banyamulenge civilians in Minembwe and the High Plateau of South-Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as the role of the DRC government, the Burundi National Defence Forces (FDNB) as well as their allied militias including Wazalendo and FDLR (the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), in perpetrating these atrocities.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to advocate for the resolution of the root causes of insecurity and violence against the Banyamulenge community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); to take steps to advocate for the immediate end of use of any drones, heavy artillery, and blockades targeting Banyamulenge civilians in the DRC; to raise internationally the need for the return of displaced Banyamulenge individuals, both internally displaced and refugees in neighbouring countries, to their homeland and the destruction of villages and the looting of cattle as part of resolving the crisis with the DRC’s Government; and to advocate for the inclusion of Banyamulenge concerns in relevant international peace accords, ensuring these agreements address the root causes of the conflict.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Rebecca Long Bailey, Official Report, 22 April 2026; Vol. 784, c. 5P.]
[P003191]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore):
The UK Government remain deeply concerned by the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and are committed to pursuing all diplomatic avenues to support lasting peace and stability. Baroness Chapman’s first visit as Minister for Africa in October 2025 was to Rwanda, where she urged the implementation of Rwanda’s commitments under the Washington peace agreement. In March 2026, she visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Kinshasa and Beni, where she met President Tshisekedi and Vice Foreign Minister Ayenganagato to welcome progress on the ceasefire and press for the fulfilment of DRC’s commitments under the Washington and Doha processes. The UK remains committed to engaging all parties and holding them to account in pursuit of sustainable peace in eastern DRC.
The UK Government condemn violence against all individuals and communities, including the Banyamulenge people, and have called for urgent de-escalation and a return to diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The Government are clear that hostile rhetoric and hate speech towards all communities is unacceptable, and that the human rights of all Congolese people must be respected, including Banyamulenge communities. We are also clear that all those who have committed human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable, and have reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
We remain committed to continuing engagement on the conflict in eastern DRC and will continue to use our international leadership to push for a peaceful resolution that stops the cycle of violence and enables prosperity and stability to return to the region.