Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the efforts being made to bring peace to the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31027/17]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am extremely concerned about the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The crisis in the Kasai regions has reached an exceptional level in security, humanitarian and human rights terms. In a recent statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the appalling human rights abuses and called for an international investigation into the situation.

Ireland expressed concern at the UN Human Rights Council in June about the Kasai regions, in particular in relation to reports of the recruitment of children by militias and excessive use of force by state services against civilians. Ireland also co-sponsored a resolution calling on the High Commissioner to appoint a team of international experts to investigate alleged human rights violations, and violations of international humanitarian law. We also remain concerned about ongoing violence and human rights violations in eastern DRC.

In parallel, the political situation caused by the blockage in implementing the inclusive political agreement of 31 December 2016 is also cause for serious concern. EU Foreign Ministers adopted Conclusions in March calling for the full implementation of the agreement as the only way to establish the necessary institutional legitimacy to manage the transition and facilitate credible and democratic elections.

In May, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted restrictive measures against nine individuals who hold positions of responsibility in the State administration and in the DRC security forces. They join the seven people on whom the EU imposed sanctions in December 2016 in response to the obstruction of the electoral process and related human rights violations.

The mandate of the UN’s Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) was renewed in March, with a specific focus on implementing the 31 December political agreement. Four Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with the Mission.

Ireland has a clear focus on forgotten crises in our humanitarian response and has maintained consistent humanitarian support to the DRC. In May, we provided an additional €3 million to the UN-managed Humanitarian Fund for the country. This 2017 allocation brings our total humanitarian assistance to DRC since 2012 to over €32 million.