§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will seek to ensure that the memorandum of understanding for the cessation of hostilities in the Sudan, of 4 February, is fully complied with by all parties to it, particularly in the areas of Suta, Bentin and Wan. [HL3057]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:We, and other international observers close to the peace process, will continue to monitor closely implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cessation of hostilities signed by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. The 4 February addendum to the MoU allowed for the establishment of a verification monitoring team to verify reports of fighting on the ground. The British senior liaison officer appointed to lead that team arrived in Nairobi on 7 May. We have contributed other personnel and 500,000 US dollars to the operation.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will use their best efforts to achieve an extension of ceasefires to the whole province of Darfur (Sudan), with effective independent international monitoring. [HL3058]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:We are concerned about the fighting in Darfur. We will continue to encourage those engaged in the conflict to resolve the situation peacefully. We expect the comprehensive peace agreement being negotiated in Kenya to cover the whole of Sudan, including Darfur.
198WA
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discuss with the Government of the Sudan the issue of fair and impartial trials in all criminal cases and the immediate ending of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments, together with ratification by Sudan of the International Convention against Torture. [HL3059]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:The Sudanese Government have signed the Convention Against Torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. Our embassy in Khartoum and the UK Special Representative for Sudan in the UK regularly lobby the Government of Sudan to ratify the convention. We will continue to press bilaterally for improvements in human rights, and as part of the ongoing EU/Sudan dialogue. On 26 April the Sudanese Minister of Justice confirmed that the system of special courts in Darfur had been abolished. He confirmed that instructions had been given that all trials should be conducted according to normal procedures, including defence lawyers and no military judges. Outstanding death sentences, which had been imposed by the special courts, would be reviewed individually by the appeal court.