§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will call the attention of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the allegations made in the film broadcast on Channel 4 on 18 February of attacks by Sudanese armed forces on civilians in Darfur; and whether 124WA they will ask the High Commissioner to send a special representative to the region, if necessary without the approval of the authorities in Khartoum, to interview eyewitnesses and record evidence of ethnic cleansing. [HL1434]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe are in close contact with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Khartoum, and we support its work financially. The acting High Commissioner is well aware of the issues raised in the Channel 4 report. Indeed he issued a statement on the situation in Darfur on 29 January, a copy of which is available on the UNHCHR website (www.unhchr.ch/huricane).
On 25 February the EU issued a statement appealing to all the parties to ensure protection of the civilian population and to allow for unhindered humanitarian access for the population in need, and expressing alarm at reports that Janjaweed militias continue to systematically target civilians. The EU strongly condemns the attacks and calls upon the Government of Sudan to put an end to Janjaweed atrocities. The EU also calls on the Government of Sudan to investigate thoroughly the attacks carried out and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will call the attention of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to alleged crimes against humanity by the Sudanese armed forces in Darfur. [HL1435]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanOn 25 February the EU issued a statement on the situation in Darfur calling on the Government of Sudan to investigate thoroughly the attacks carried out and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Sudan has signed but not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The UK is one of the ICC's strongest supporters. We continue to work for an effective court, and to encourage other states to become parties to it.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, during his forthcoming meeting with President Gaddafi of Libya, the Prime Minister will ask him to use his influence with the Government of Sudan to halt attacks on civilians in Darfur and allow humanitarian agencies unimpeded access to that territory. [HL1436]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have raised the situation in Darfur at the highest levels in Khartoum, and our ambassador discussed the matter with the First Vice-President on 24 February. We are urging the Government of Sudan to negotiate a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access to all those in need, and resume talks to find a peaceful solution to Darfur's problems.
There are as yet no firm plans for a meeting between my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and Colonel Gaddafi.