UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the DRC. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you, Mr Vice President,
The UK remains concerned by the situation in eastern DRC, particularly in M23 occupied areas where the humanitarian situation is critical and the de facto authorities are responsible for grave human rights abuses including rape, murder and lack of access to essential services.
While we understand the serious financial challenges facing the international human rights system, we must make resources available to provide the scrutiny and accountability that the situation so desperately requires.
We encourage all parties to agree to a resolution to this conflict, refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and respect humanitarian law, including enabling humanitarian access.
We are deeply concerned by the scale of sexual violence in eastern DRC. There were 10,000 rape and sexual violence cases documented in January and February alone this year. Around 40% of those were children. We echo the call of the Fact-Finding Mission to all parties to immediately end sexual violence. We welcome the DRC government's efforts to prosecute those who have committed such acts and urge DRC to intensify efforts to ensure accountability.
Lastly, the UK expresses its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and encourages the DRC to consider reinstating the moratorium.
