§ Mr. LaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Sudan and what steps his Department is taking to encourage progress towards peace. [171117]
§ Mr. MullinWe are seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Darfur, western Sudan. Civilian protection there remains a major concern, with reports of systematic attacks on civilians, including rape, pillage and destruction of livelihoods. The promotion of human rights throughout Sudan, through advocacy with the Government and support for NGOs, remains one of our priorities. We welcome the recent signing of a humanitarian ceasefire agreement. We are working with the parties and other members of the international community to try to get the ceasefire monitoring mechanism on the ground as soon as possible.
Good progress has been made at the Sudanese peace talks in Kenya. Both sides have said that the peace process is irreversible and they are hopeful on reaching a final agreement very soon.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what peace proposals are being taken forward to bring an early end to conflict in Darfur, Sudan. [171388]
§ Mr. MullinThe 8 April Ceasefire Agreement provides for a Commission to monitor the ceasefire, and for a role for the international community. We are in close contact with the parties and other members of the international community to try to help set up such a monitoring mechanism as quickly as possible. Officials attended an206W African Union (AU) meeting about this in Addis Ababa on 19–20 April, and since then we have discussed the matter with the US and in the EU. An AU reconnaissance mission to Chad and Darfur began on 7 May. The mission includes representatives from the EU, the US and the UN, as well as the AU.