HC Deb 11 May 2000 vol 349 c453W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning military attacks on the Nuba population of Sudan. [121582]

Mr. Hain

I am aware of a number of reports of military action in the Nuba Mountains and have received a number of representations about the bombing of a school in Kaouda in February of this year.

We have raised the specific case of the school, and the general issue of aerial bombing, with the Government of Sudan, and an EU Declaration was published on the subject on 5 May.

On 18 April, President Bashir announced that he had ordered the cessation of aerial bombings of targets in the South except where there was active fighting under way. We welcome this announcement and look to the Government of Sudan to honour it.