HC Deb 30 November 2001 vol 375 cc1183-4W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan on the(a) creation and (b) restoration of churches in the north of the country. [19722]

Mr. Bradshaw

We regularly discuss issues relating to religious freedom with the Sudanese Government both bilaterally and through the EU. EU Heads of Mission in Khartoum held a meeting on 5 November with the Sudanese Minister for Religious Affairs to discuss religious freedom. Our Ambassador chaired the meeting in his capacity as local EU Presidency. They specifically raised concerns about impediments to church-building.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to peace in the Sudan, with particular reference to democratic consent in the south of the country. [19725]

Mr. Bradshaw

The search for peace remains the focus of our policy towards Sudan. We continue to support the IGAD peace process, and, accordingly, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Declaration of Principles, which includes the right of self-determination for southerners. We continue to promote democratic transformation. We regularly urge the Government of Sudan and other authorities to improve freedom of political association and assembly, and to remove legislation and end practices limiting other popular freedoms. This is also a core focus of the EU-Sudan dialogue, which the UK is currently chairing as local EU Presidency.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other African Governments on proposals to bring peace to the Sudan. [19723]

Mr. Bradshaw

As members of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Partners Forum, we regularly discuss Sudan with other African Governments, particularly Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. Kenya has an important role to play in the Sudanese peace process because the IGAD Secretariat, which we have helped fund, is based in Nairobi. The Foreign Secretary has discussed Sudan with President Moi and our Embassy in Nairobi keeps in close contact with the Kenyan authorities.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Christian Solidarity on the subject of slavery and abduction in the Sudan. [19724]

Mr. Bradshaw

We take the issue of abductions very seriously and are keen to work with any organisation that is dedicated to tackling the problem. FCO officials keep in touch with Christian Solidarity. They and our Embassy in Khartoum also work very closely with Save the Children (UK), who are involved in efforts to address the problem in Sudan, and we have given significant funding to them for their work with the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC). We have also provided funding through the EU to UNICEF. Our ambassador in Khartoum regularly urges the Sudanese Government to greater efforts, and encourages them to increase their support for the work of the CEA, WC. We also raise the issue of abductions through the EU/Sudan dialogue.