TACKLING IMPUNITY IN CONGO

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.