HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc687-9W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Sudan about(a) the ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and (b) the reflection of that ratification in national legislation. [185572]

Mr. Rammell

The UN Convention Against Torture was raised as recently as 19 July as part of the EU-Sudan dialogue. A draft law is currently before the Council of Ministers for ratification.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been sentenced to(a) death, (b) amputation, (c) cross-amputation and (d) flogging in Sudan in the last 12 months. [185577]

Mr. Rammell

The Sudanese Organisation Against Torture says that in the 12 months March 2003 to March 2004 they received reports of 71 people being sentenced to death and two to cross amputation. The UK Government supports NGOs and human rights organisations which catalogue and document reports of human rights violations, but exact numbers are not available. We are speaking to the Government of Sudan about making their own figures public. We continue to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan about the powers conferred on the Attorney-General and their compatibility with Article 9(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [185578]

Mr. Rammell

The Attorney-General was ascribed the new powers under the National Security Act which was introduced in 1999 and has been regularly amended. Our Embassy in Khartoum regularly raises cases relating to incommunicado-detention with the Government of Sudan. On the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, the Government of Sudan has committed itself to removing the emergency laws and implementing international human rights standards including the obligations of the International Convention for Civil and Political Rights.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan about its adherence to Articles 10 and 13 of the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. [185579]

Mr. Rammell

We have made representations to the Government of Sudan on the need for due process in their legal system and the need for independence of the judiciary.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with members of the United Nations Security Council about the need for a mandatory resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in respect of the conduct of the Government of Sudan in Darfur. [185580]

Mr. Rammell

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 21 July 2004,Official Report, column 344W.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the President of Chad about the relationship between the Janjaweed in Sudan and the Renewed National Front of Chad. [185582]

Mr. Rammell

We have had no specific discussions with the President of Chad or his Government about the Renewed National Front of Chad. However we continue to monitor the situation with regard to cross-border attacks. The deployment of the African Union Ceasefire Commission in Darfur, to which we have donated £2 million should improve the overall security situation.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he had made to the Government of Sudan about the bombing in May 2004 by its forces of the Darfur town of Tabit, south of El Fashir. [185585]

Mr. Rammell

We regularly press the Government of Sudan to observe all its commitments under the 8 April ceasefire agreement. This includes refraining from aerial bombing.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan about the operation of the specialised criminal courts in Darfur. [185591]

Mr. Rammell

Our Embassy in Khartoum, both bilaterally and through the EU-Sudan dialogue, regularly raises with the Sudanese Government cases that have passed through these courts; focusing not only on the sentences passed but also the lack of due legal process and the right to a fair trial.

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Department has made to the Sudanese Government regarding the use of rape by pro-government forces within the Darfur region. [185829]

Mr. Rammell

Reports of rape in Darfur are most alarming. We have made clear to the Government of Sudan that they must act now to improve the security situation and protect civilians from such atrocities, or the Security Council will need to take further action. These reports also underline the need to get the AU monitoring mission fully operational as quickly as possible, and to deploy Human Rights monitors. Three all-women commissions to investigate rape allegations have recently been established by the Government of Sudan. We are also encouraging the Government of Sudan to ratify the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.