Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation of the Banyamulenge and Hema minority communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), given the recent attacks against them; what representations they have made to their counterparts in the DRC concerning these communities; and what practical assistance they have provided to support the DRC in assisting these communities.

The UK condemns all forms of hate speech and violence committed against all individuals and communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We continue to actively lobby the Government of DRC to tackle the drivers of conflict, introduce human rights reforms, combat impunity, and push for the imposition of sanctions through the UN against individuals who have committed serious human rights abuses. We will continue to work with members of the international community to counter hate speech and incitement to violence in DRC through shared messaging, both private and public. We are fully supportive of the work carried out by the UN peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO, and note their vital work in providing protection for those displaced from these communities in Ituri and South Kivu. We contribute financially and militarily to MONUSCO, and as permanent members of the UN Security Council, continue to ensure that the protection of civilians remains central to MONUSCO's mandate.