§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 14 December 1998 (WA 134), (a) whether they will obtain and study the United Nations report on the murder of World Food Programme and Sudanese Red Crescent aid workers in the Nuba mountains in June 1998, and (b) place a copy of this report in the Library of the House. [HL702]
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§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)This was an internal UN report which has not been made public and we cannot therefore get a copy for the Library of the House. Nor have we received any related written reports which can be placed there.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 14 December 1998 (WA 134), whether the United Nations report on the murder of World Food Programme and Sudanese Red Crescent aid workers in the Nuba mountains in June 1998 identifies the individuals or organisations responsible for the murders. [HL703]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThis was an internal UN report which was not made public and has not been shared with Her Majesty's Government. We have heard informally that the report was inconclusive and that it does not apportion blame.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who were the aid workers murdered in the course of their work in Sudan since 1993; who was responsible for the murders, and whether those responsible have been brought to justice. [746]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere have been no British aid workers murdered in the course of their work in Sudan since 1993. We do not hold definitive records of other nationalities.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have received about the identity of those responsible for the attacks on Sudanese refugee camps near Dunga in the Democratic republic of Congo in October 1998, and the Mboki settlement in the Central African Republic in November 1998, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. [HL745]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has confirmed that members of the Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) attacked the camps in question. On 19 November, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution confirming the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps. The UK believes the security of refugee camps must be respected and the principle of voluntary return must be upheld.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the report commissioned by the Norwegian Government into the activities of Norwegian People's Aid in Sudan asserts that food and emergency aid was knowingly being diverted to procure weapons and war materials; if so, by whom is this diversion being carried out; and whether they will place a copy of this report in the Library of the House. [HL748]
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§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government are not aware of the details of this report, which was commissioned by a foreign government.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
From what sources they derive their assessment of the human rights situation in Sudan. [HL749]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanOur reporting is derived from a wide range of sources, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur, government, opposition and other sources.