TACKLING IMPUNITY IN CONGO

Early day motion 2726, tabled 20 February 2012 by Peter Bottomley (Conservative). Signed by 17 members.

That this House recognises that 1 July will mark the tenth anniversary since the International Criminal Court (ICC) created by the Rome Statute entered into force; notes that the Democratic Republic of Congo ratified the Rome Statute on 30 March 2002; reaffirms its support for the Security Council's primary role set out in the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace, security and justice; congratulates Mrs Fatou Bensouda on her appointment as ICC Chief Prosecutor; knows that the UK will in March hold the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council; asks the Government to urge the UN Secretary General to establish a group of experts to conduct an in-depth study of possible justice mechanisms to investigate and prosecute crimes outlined in the United Nations Mapping Exercise on Congo; and calls on Mrs Bensouda to make use of the Prosecutor's proprio motu powers enshrined in Articles 13(c), 15 and 53(1) of the Rome Statute by undertaking a preliminary investigation of serious crimes committed in Congo after 1 July 2002 and on evidence to bring charges against principal militia chiefs and their backers to ensure that justice is done while Congo's national justice system is being rebuilt.

Signatures by party: Labour 8, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 2, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.