PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Democratic Republic of Congo (16 December 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of closures to camps for internally displaced peoples around Goma on local refugee populations; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Gareth Thomas (Labour)

We recognise the right of the Government to close the camps in North Kivu. However, any camp closures just be done in a way that reflects the Government’s obligations under the Kampala Convention – this includes the respect of humanitarian principles and the rights and dignity of the internally displaced people affected, including the right for voluntary return.

The UK has been working closely with the wider humanitarian community to support an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on this issue. We hope that this constructive dialogue can be maintained to find appropriate, and durable, long term solutions for those currently located in camps around Goma and across North Kivu.

Answered by:
Mr Tobias Ellwood (Conservative)
5 January 2015