§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the granting of a visa to the Foreign Minister of the Government of Sudan is consistent with the spirit of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1054, 1966. [HL3484]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)UNSCR 1054 of 1996 requires states to restrict the entry of members of the Government of Sudan, officials of that Government and members of the Sudanese armed forces. This resolution remains in force. It is not a blanket prohibition. Consistent with our international obligations, we look at all applications in categories subject to restrictions on a case by case basis. We judge that the visit of the Sudanese Foreign Minister to the UK will further UK efforts to promote peace, democratisation and human rights in the Sudan.
§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the visit by the Foreign Minister of the Government of Sudan is consistent with their commitment to a human rights-based foreign policy; and whether they will raise with the Foreign Minister the continuing bombing of civilian targets by the Government of Sudan. [HL3485]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe are committed to improving the human rights situation in Sudan. We believe that some progress has already been made by the Government of Sudan in this field. There, is of course still much more to be done, but we remain convinced that this can only be achieved through a frank and constructive dialogue with the Sudanese Government.
Human rights concerns, including aerial bombings of civilian targets by the Government of Sudan, were raised both by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State and by my honourable friend the Member for Neath when they met the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 18 July.