Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Human Rights in the DRC (8 November 2005: New York)
EU Presidency Introductory Statement by the UK Mission to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, on the SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, UN General Assembly Third Committee, New York
On behalf of the European Union and co-sponsors (Albania, Australia, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, FYROM, and Turkey), I have the honour to introduce under agenda item 71 (c), the draft resolution entitled the "Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo" contained in document A/60/C.3/L.41
[In addition this resolution has also been co-sponsored by the following: …]
The European Union welcomes the measures taken by the Transitional Government of the DRC in the process to achieve stability and peace in the country and the substantial progress that has been made towards the adoption of a new Constitution in December, and the holding of elections in 2006.
Despite progress made in the political process, the European Union remains deeply concerned about the ongoing situation of human rights in the DRC, particularly in the eastern part of the country. The use of armed violence, reprisals against civilians and sexual violence against women and children - including in situations where such practices are used as a weapon of war - deserve our joint condemnation.
The resolution calls on the Transitional Government, parties to the former conflict and the international community to take urgent action to protect civilians, to promote and protect human rights and to put an end to impunity in the DRC. In this respect, the EU and co-sponsors of the resolution support the activities of the ICC regarding the DRC.
This resolution is being tabled with the agreement and co-operation of the DRC. Our aim is, as ever, to reach a consensus on this resolution with both the DRC and all interested parties. To this end, the EU has been actively engaged in amicable, constructive discussions with the DRC and other African countries about the resolution. A number of elements have been included in the text introduced today as a result of these exchanges. The EU looks forward to continuing to work closely with the DRC
and all interested parties to achieve this objective.
It is the hope of the European Union and the other co-sponsors of this resolution that the present text will be adopted without a vote and that its adoption will lead to an improvement of the human rights situation in the DRC. Consensus would not only express the international community's common concern about the situation in the DRC, but also our continued support.
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