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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 4 December 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2023. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 December 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Children

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Benyon on 30 November (HL Deb cols 1172–1174), what discussions they have held with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and what support they have provided to that government to ensure that children are not incarcerated, penalised, or physically harmed solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of their exploitation in child labour.

Answer

We note the continued prevalence of child labour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and are committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in line with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. We regularly raise the issue of child labour in DRC both with the DRC government, and through multi-lateral fora such as the Human Rights Council. In addition, the Home Office is funding work through the Modern Slavery Innovation Fund with the objective of strengthening partnerships to prevent and remedy forced labour in supply chains from DRC. Through such partnerships, we are committed to ensuring that children are not penalised any further for their unlawful exploitation. The UK government is committed to the principles laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and is dedicated to providing the best possible opportunities for all children, but especially those who have had the hardest start in life.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL796
Session
2023-24
Related items
Subjects
Children Armed conflict Forced labour Democratic Republic of the Congo Exploitation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk