The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answers on 7th October 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to work within international forums to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations against the Banyamulenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab, FCDO): The UK continues to raise concerns about human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and condemns all forms of hate speech and violence committed against all individuals and communities in DRC. We continue to lobby DRC to tackle the drivers of conflict, introduce human rights reforms and combat impunity. The UK also continues to push for the imposition of sanctions through the UN against individuals who have committed human rights abuses. Given the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping force, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from South Kivu, we continue to encourage DRC to ensure suitable plans are in place regarding protection of civilians, including those in particularly vulnerable communities.
The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Iraq regarding the subversion of regional government by Iranian-backed militia in the Ninevah Plains and the impact of this on the stability of the region and on the safety of the Christian community there.
Lord Collins of Highbury: It is vital that the Government of Iraq keep Iraqi militia groups in line and ensure democracy is adhered to. We are closely monitoring the impact of these developments on the safety of Nineveh’s Christian community.
The UK is firmly committed to protecting the Christian community, and other ethnic and religious minorities, and are strong advocates of greater Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Iraq. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on this issue, in particular the importance that minorities are included in national and local government as well as reconciliation efforts.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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