§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Canadian Foreign Minister regarding exports to Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [115720]
§ Mr. HainMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity to meet recently with his Canadian counterpart.
We have studied the Canadian report on Sudan and are discussing the issues it raises with the Government of Sudan.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese and Sudanese Governments concerning reports that Chinese personnel have been involved in the displacement of Dinka and Nuer peoples from Heglig and Bentin areas; and if he will make a statement. [115723]
§ Mr. HainWe are deeply concerned about the reports of human rights violations in Western Upper Nile. The recently published Harker report (available on the internet at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca\foreignp\3110168-e.pdf) addressed many issues including displacement. We have already taken this up with the Government of Sudan bilaterally and through the EU.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the(a) Government of Sudan, (b) European Commission and (c) United Nations, regarding the recent bombings in Sudan. [115714]
§ Mr. HainWe are aware of several reports of aerial bombing in the Sudan. We have raised specific cases and the more general issue with the Government of Sudan 603W bilaterally and through the EU. At last year's UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), an EU co-sponsored resolution on Sudan was agreed by consensus which calls on the Government of Sudan to
stop immediately the indiscriminate bombardment of civilian and humanitarian centres which runs counter to the fundamental principles on human rights and humanitarian law.We expect the EU to co-sponsor a resolution at this year's UNCHR.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to develop special economic measures to tighten export controls to Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [115712]
§ Mr. HainThere is an EU arms embargo which we rigorously implement and expect to remain for as long as the civil war continues. There is no policy to halt commercial interests in the Sudan and we give full and frank advice to interested companies.