Security Council Presidential Statement Reiterates Need for Democratic Republic of Congo to Fully Investigate Expert Group Killings
The Security Council today reiterated the need for the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fully investigate the killing of two members of the Group of Experts on that country and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In presidential statement S/PRST/2017/23, read out by Sebastiano Cardi (Italy), Council President for November, the 15-member organ also said that, after reviewing the provisions of resolution 2360 (2017) considering the Group of Experts’ final report, no further adjustments to the sanctions regime outlined in that action were necessary at present.
The Council welcomed the cooperation of the Congolese authorities with United Nations enquiries into the murders of Zaida Catalán (dual national of Chile and Sweden) and Michael Sharp (United States) in March, as well as with law enforcement investigations that were being conducted, or may be conducted, by Sweden or the United States.
It took note of the conclusions of a United Nations security management system Board of Inquiry into the murders, saying it intended to continue to return to them. It also welcomed the Secretary-General’s commitment that the Organization would do all it could to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
Turning to the work of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Council encouraged it to consider, within its current mandate and in cooperation with relevant Congolese authorities, issues related to illicit financial activity, including money-laundering, support for armed groups and criminal networks involved in destabilizing activities.
Welcoming the recent decisions of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region regarding the fight against illegal exploitation of natural resources, the Council also encouraged the Group of Experts to work with States and relevant international organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association, to produce recommendations to streamline and enhance the control of unwrought gold transport in carry-on airline luggage.
The meeting began at 10:02 a.m. and ended at 10:03 a.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2017/23 reads as follows:
“The Security Council has reviewed the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2360, in light of the final report submitted by the Group of Experts on the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo]. No further adjustments to the measures outlined in resolution 2360 are necessary at this time.
“The Security Council reiterates the need for the Government of the DRC to fully investigate the killing of the two members of the Group of Experts and bring the perpetrators to justice. It notes in this regard the decision by the Secretary-General (letter S/2017/917 of 31 October 2017), agreed with the Congolese authorities, to deploy a United Nations team to assist the Congolese authorities in their investigations, and the intention of the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council about the work of the team. It welcomes the cooperation of the Congolese authorities with the United Nations enquiries, as well as with law enforcement investigations that are or may be conducted by Sweden or the United States, and looks forward to the Congolese authorities’ continued cooperation in accordance with DRC national legislation. The Security Council further takes note of the conclusions of the UN Board of Inquiry, and expresses its intention to continue to return to them. It welcomes the Secretary-General’s commitment that the United Nations will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The Security Council recalls its decision in paragraph 3 of resolution 2360 (2017) that acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the DRC include planning, directing, sponsoring or participating in attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers or United Nations and associated personnel, including members of the Group of Experts, and expresses its readiness to designate individuals and groups responsible for such attacks for sanctions.
“The Security Council encourages the Group of Experts to consider, within the current mandate and in consultations with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and established international mechanisms, as well as in cooperation with relevant Congolese authorities, issues related to illicit financial activity, including money-laundering operations, supporting the activities of armed groups and criminal networks involved in destabilizing activities in the DRC. In that regard, the Security Council welcomes the decisions of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) at its 7th summit on 19 October 2017 regarding the fight against illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region and encourages member States to further increase cooperation in fighting illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources, including gold or wildlife. The Security Council further encourages the Group of Experts to work with States and relevant international organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), so they can produce recommendations to streamline and enhance the control of unwrought gold transported in carry-on luggage.”
* *** *