Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with Government representatives in the DRC on recent incidents in Oicha, North Kivu province where Christians were killed by Islamic State affiliates.

Recent attacks by Islamic State affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are alarming and we are saddened by the loss of life from such attacks. The ADF is already under UK and UN sanctions. The protection of civilians, promotion of respect between different religious and non-religious groups, and human rights is a priority for the UK. We continue to work through the UN General Assembly Third Committee, UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council to promote and protect these rights in the DRC. We regularly engage with the Government of DRC at all levels, including through Ministers in London and the British Embassy in Kinshasa. The UK is committed to supporting efforts to build stability and reduce violence in the DRC. We firmly believe the regional peace processes provide the best means by which to achieve a lasting peace and offer them our full support.