A/RES/56/100
Urging all parties to respect and protect human rights and respect international
humanitarian law, in particular, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 3 and the additional
Protocols thereto, of 1977, 4
Deeply concerned at the continued extensive destruction of life and property
and the severe damage to infrastructure and the environment suffered by the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the reports of the illegal exploitation
of its natural resources,
Bearing in mind the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo hosts
thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries, which places a great burden on
its limited resources, and hoping that conditions will be created that will facilitate a
safe and voluntary return of refugees,
Recalling that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a least developed
country with severe economic and social problems arising from its weak economic
infrastructure and aggravated by the ongoing conflict,
Bearing in mind the close interrelationship between ensuring peace and
security and the ability of the country to meet the humanitarian needs of its people
and to take effective steps towards the rapid revitalization of the economy, and
reaffirming the urgent need to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the
rehabilitation and reconstruction of its damaged economy and in its efforts to restore
basic services and the infrastructure of the country,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 5
2.
Welcomes the opening of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue on 15 October
2001, and calls upon all Congolese parties to make every effort to promote the
process and ensure the success of a fully inclusive dialogue in a spirit of consensus;
3.
Urges all parties concerned in the region to cease military activities,
cease any support for armed groups and any recruitment, training and use of child
soldiers, calls upon those States which have not done so to withdraw from the
territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with the Lusaka
Ceasefire Agreement, 1 the Kampala disengagement plan 2 and relevant Security
Council resolutions, and urges all parties to engage in a process of political dialogue
and negotiation and to create the conditions necessary for the speedy and peaceful
resolution of the crisis;
4.
Encourages the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to
continue and develop its cooperation with the United Nations, its specialized
agencies and other organizations in addressing the need for rehabilitation and
reconstruction;
5.
Also encourages the Government of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo to pursue sound macroeconomic policies and to promote good governance
and the rule of the law, and urges it to exert all efforts for economic recovery and
reconstruction despite the ongoing armed conflict;
6.
Stresses the link between the peace process and the economic recovery of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, welcomes economic reforms undertaken by
_______________
3
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970–973.
Ibid., vol. 1125, Nos. 17512 and 17513.
5
A/56/269.
4
2