§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the proposition in the resolution from the United States House of Representatives on 15 June 1999 that the National Islamic Front government is systematically committing genocide in the Southern Sudan; whether this conclusion is confirmed by the Canadian government's Harker report and by reports from the United Nations special rapporteurs; what consequences, if any, there are for relations between the United Kingdom and the Sudan; and what concerted international action would be appropriate. [HL2703]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe are deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in the Sudan, which has led to so much suffering. We are not aware of any reference by Harker or by the UN Special Rapporteur, Leonardo Franco, to genocide; nor do we have other compelling evidence of systematic genocide.
Her Majesty's Government remains committed to working with international partners in search of a peaceful settlement to the conflict through enagement with all parties to the conflict.