§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have to suggest that the policy of critical engagement with Sudan has improved Sudan's human rights record. [HL4826]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have many human rights concerns in Sudan and our policy of critical engagement with the Sudanese Government has put us in a far better position to pursue these. We have seen some improvement in their record. For example, over 300 abductees have been returned since the setting up of the Committee for the Eradication of Abductions of Women and Children last year. Our Ambassador regularly attends the committee's meetings to urge further progress. The Sudanese are also now allowing greater numbers of visits by monitors such as UN Special Rapporteurs, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. They have also agreed to review the "Public Order" law and continue the process of legal reform. Nevertheless, we continue to have serious concerns at continued human rights violations.
Our Embassy in Khartoum has regularly lobbied the Government of Sudan at ministrial level on human rights concerns and will continue to do so.