HL Deb 28 April 2003 vol 647 cc59-60WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Government of the Sudan the arrest on 11 March of a journalist from the English-language Khartoum Monitor; and whether it is internationally acceptable that individuals can be held without charge for renewable periods of 123 days. [HL2377]

Baroness Amos

Her Majesty's Ambassador to Khartoum raised the case of Edward Terso, the detainedKhartoum Monitor journalist, on 27 March as part of the wider EU-Sudan dialogue. Mr Terso was subsequently released on 29 March. The embassy regularly raises human rights issues, including detention without charge and the freedom of the press in particular, with the Government of Sudan.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United Nations Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Sudan has been able to visit all areas in the Sudan that he wished to see; whether they are supporting the United Nations resolution to continue his mandate; and, if so, whether they will seek worldwide support for this position. [HL2379]

Baroness Amos

The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Sudan has welcomed the co-operation extended by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army during his visits to Sudan.

We take a close interest and play an active role in the promotion of human rights in Sudan. This includes our strong support for the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights there. The UK has until now been the main contributor of funding for the Office of the HCHR in Khartoum. The UK has supported successive EU-sponsored resolutions at the UN Commission on Human Rights and the UN General Assembly. We believe that it is important to continue the mandate of the special rapporteur and shall be working for agreement to this during the current session of the CHR in Geneva.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the British Embassy in Khartoum has yet been able to complete its fact-finding visit to Darfur; and, if so, what are its conclusions. [HL2380]

Baroness Amos

Our ambassador has requested permission to travel to Darfur and will do so as soon as possible.

The embassy in Khartoum continues to discuss the situation in Darfur with a wide range of Government and National Congress party officials, in addition to Darfur MPs and other local representatives.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are supporting moves to strengthen and expand the verification and monitoring team in southern Sudan, in particular to enable it to investigate reports of abduction, rape and displacement of civilians. [HL2381]

Baroness Amos

Her Majesty's Government welcomed the establishment on 4 February of the Verification Monitoring Team (VMT). The VMT will monitor alleged violations of the Memorandum of Understanding on cessation of hostilities signed on 15 October 2002. The UK will support its important work and has pledged 500,000 US dollars towards the establishment of the Verification Monitoring Team. We are also looking to contribute personnel to the operation.

The US-led Civilian Protection Monitoring Team (CPMT) is responsible for monitoring the March 2002 agreement to refrain from attacks against civilians. On 15 March the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army agreed to extend that agreement until 31 March 2004.