Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of continuing violence by armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on freedom of religion or belief; and what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to ensure that the protection of religious communities and places of worship is addressed within international peace efforts relating to the conflict.

The UK is committed to promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief for all. We condemn attacks by armed groups against civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including attacks by the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on Christian communities. Bilaterally and through the UN and other multilateral fora, the UK continues to remind all parties in DRC of their obligations under international humanitarian law. We also support accountability for those responsible for serious abuses, including through sanctions: in July, the UK supported the UN designation of a senior ADF commander.