§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Under-Secretary Hassan Abdeen of the Government of Sudan has been granted a visa to enter the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether this is consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1054 and the Government's commitment to an ethnically based foreign policy and promotion of human rights. [HL3273]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Dr. Abdeen did indeed visit London during the week beginning 21 June in order to inspect the Sudanese Embassy and to have talks about steps to normalise relations with the Sudan. As a result on 25 June, a statement was issued announcing the return of British staff to Khartoum. This will allow diplomats to take up the important work they were doing prior to their departure.
UNSCR 1054 "restricts" the entry of officials of the Government of Sudan and hence all applications are considered on a case by case basis.