§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about human rights violation in the Nuba mountain region in Sudan. [29897]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have received disturbing reports of human rights violations in the Nuba mountains. Access to the area is difficult because of the civil war, but there is evidence of a policy of forced arabisation and islamisation of the Nuba people. The United Nations special rapporteur has stated that a large number of civilians, including women and children, have been killed in attacks by Government forces, or summarily executed.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the forced acculturation policy of the Sudanese Government. [29898]
§ Mr. HanleyThere is credible evidence, including that cited by the United Nations special rapporteur, Dr. Biro, that the Sudanese Government have been conducting forced islamisation and arabisation, notably in the Nuba mountains, in the camps for southern Sudanese in northern Sudan, and among children.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding human rights violations in Sudan. [29899]
§ Mr. HanleyI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) on 13 May, column360.