HL Deb 18 November 1998 vol 594 cc169-70WA
Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Regarding the requirement by the United Nations that the Government of Sudan should receive technical assistance for improving the teaching and observance of human rights, what funding they have offered or provided to assist the Sudanese Government in their investigation of allegations of slavery and human rights violations and the development of the Sudanese Government's human rights education committees. [HL3793]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government have continued discussions with the Government of Sudan on the possibility of technical assistance. But since no agreement has yet been reached between UNHCR and the Government of Sudan on the terms on which such assistance should be given, Her Majesty's Government have not yet given any such assistance.

Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the implications for the validity of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1044 and 1045, with regard to the demand for the extradition of suspects in the attempted assassination of President Mubarak of Egypt, if one or more of the suspects named is found to be outside Sudan. [HL3794]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

In addition to calling upon the Government of Sudan to take immediate action to extradite to Ethiopia the three suspects wanted in connection with the attempted assassination of President Mubarak, Security Council Resolutions 1044 and 1054 call upon the Government of Sudan todesist from engaging in activities of assisting, supporting and facilitating terrorist activities and from giving shelter and sanctuaries to terrorist elements and act in its relations with its neighbours and with others in full conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity.

Before lifting the measures imposed by any resolution, the Security Council would need to be satisfied that the target state had complied fully with the demands of the resolution.

Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the bombings in Khartoum at the end of June. [HL3795]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government are aware of reports of four bombs having gone off in and around Khartoum on 29–30 June, which caused little damage. The UK condemns terrorism in all its forms wherever it occurs and whatever its motivation.

Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any progress has been made by the international commission investigating the murder, during the summer of this year, of members of the Operation Lifeline Sudan assessment mission in the Nuba mountains. [HL3796]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government are not aware of any international commission investigating the murder. We are, however aware of an internal UN investigation. The results of this investigation have not been shared with Her Majesty's Government.

Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Government of the United States has withdrawn over 100 reports by its agencies that the Government of the Sudan was involved in international terrorism; and, if so, whether this has resulted in a re-evaluation of Her Majesty's Government's position towards the Government of the Sudan. [HL3797]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose or discuss information received in confidence from foreign governments.

Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether members of or employees at the British Embassy in Khartoum visited the A1 Shifa pharmaceutical plant before the missile attack by the United States Government; and, if so, how many of them visited the plant. [HL3803]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

A commercial officer from our Embassy in Khartoum visited the A1 Shifa pharmaceutical plant on a routine commercial visit in May 1997. The same officer and our Ambassador attended the official opening of the plant in July 1997. These have been the only visits.