§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the decision of the United States Government to impose wide-ranging economic sanctions on the National Islamic Front (NIF) regime in Sudan, they will support a stronger line against the NIF within the forum of the United Nations Security Council.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We will look at any proposal for further UN Security Council action against Sudan on its merits, taking into account the Government of Sudan's non-compliance with Security Council Resolutions 1045, 1054 and 1070 and the likely attitudes of other Security Council members.
§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to ensure access to human rights monitors under the direction of the United Nations Special Rapporteur into every area of Sudan to investigate the allegations of slavery and other gross violations of human rights.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have consistently supported UN resolutions calling for UN human rights monitors for Sudan. We are in touch with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva about an appeal for funding of monitors, which they hope to launch in due course.
§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in the peace process in Sudan; and what support they are giving to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in this context.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanTalks between the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan were held under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development in Kenya from 29 October-11 November. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 1998. We welcomed the talks and urged both sides to approach them constructively. We are also in touch with the National Democratic Alliance, of which the SPLM is a major part, but we are not providing them with material support. We urge both sides to continue progress towards a comprehensive negotiated settlement and to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.