§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he896W has made of changes in the level of respect for human rights in the Sudan.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe grave human rights situation in Sudan has not improved over the past year. The latest report by the UN special rapporteur, Dr. Biro, catalogued numerous abuses committed by the Government of Sudan and also the Sudan People's Liberation Army and other groups.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will sponsor a peace initiative aimed at containing the civil war in the Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe fully support the ongoing peace initiative sponsored by four regional countries, members of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Drought and Development. We provide practical support for this initiative and, together with EU partners, have urged all parties to the conflict to negotiate in good faith.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about British arms manufacturers supplying arms to either side in the civil war in the Sudan; and if he will name them.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are not aware of any violations by British companies to the EU arms embargo imposed on Sudan in March this year.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the disappearance of children from the Nuba mountains of Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere are disturbing reports of widespread human rights violations committed against civilians in the Nuba mountains region by Government of Sudan forces. References to these abuses are contained in the recent report by the UN special rapporteur.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current extent of rebel-held areas in the south of Sudan.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIn large areas of southern Sudan, Government forces hold the main towns while the forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army and other factions control much of the countryside. The precise areas held by the various forces varies constantly.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens travelled to the Sudan in each of the past five years; and how many Sudanese citizens entered Britain over the same period.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have no means of calculating how many British citizens travel to Sudan, nor do we keep statistics on the number of visas issued worldwide to Sudanese nationals. The numbers of visas issued by HM embassy in Khartoum during the past five years were: 1993–4,450; 1992–3,730; 1991–8,030; 1990–7,490; 1989–7,450.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to review Her Majesty's Government's policy on the Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe remain concerned about a number of issues including: the civil war, the appalling human rights situation, and problems over the distribution of humanitarian relief supplies. We shall continue to raise 897W these issues with the Government of Sudan, and to press for action to resolve them.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role and function of the remaining British diplomatic personnel in the Sudan; and what assessment he has made of whether they are being adequately monitored.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggHer Majesty's embassy in Khartoum conducts a range of diplomatic activities, with political, aid, consular, commercial and visa sections. As with all our diplomatic missions, the embassy's activities are supervised from London.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in resolving the diplomatic impasse between Britain and the Sudan in relation to the exchange of ambassadors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are in contact with the Sudanese authorities about this but a final decision has not yet been taken.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the extent of Islamic extremism in the Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are concerned at reports of the presence in Sudan of Islamic militants from various countries.
§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British non-governmental organisations are currently operating in the Sudan; and if he will list them and their locations.
§ Mr. BaldryThere are nine British non-governmental organisations now operating projects in Sudan, with ODA funding.
These are:
NGO Location(s) Acord Qala En Nahal, Port Sudan British Red Cross Juba CARE North Kordofan Christian Outreach Shagarab Ockenden Venture Gadem Gifrit, Port Sudan OXFAM Akot, Juba, Mundri, Terekaka, Maridi, Ed Daein, Red Sea Hills, North Tokar, Kababiya, Jebel Aulia, Gezira PISCES AID Sobat Basin Save the Children Fund Darfur, Waat, Yuai, Akon You and Me Awad E1 Sid