Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1762):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Sudan regarding the death sentence by stoning given to Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab for adultery. (HL1762)
Tabled on: 14 July 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
We most strongly condemn the decision of a Sudanese court to sentence Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab to death by stoning for adultery. It is a longstanding policy of the UK Government to oppose the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. Our Embassy in Khartoum has engaged the Sudanese authorities to raise our concerns and seek further clarification on the detail of this case. Sudan’s transitional government had made significant progress on human rights, including on legal reforms and the rights of women and girls. It is vital that this progress is not put at risk following the military coup on 25 October.
Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2022 at 14:19.
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Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1759):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to instigate an assessment of the signs of atrocities in Darfur; and what plans they have to commission a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability strategic assessment to investigate (1) whether crimes against humanity are being committed, and (2) whether these crimes could develop into genocide. (HL1759)
Tabled on: 14 July 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
The UK and Germany completed a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) on Sudan in 2019. This was used by the UK to help support conflict resolution mechanisms, create a supportive regional environment and improve governance by supporting fair power structures. Whilst we have not commissioned a recent JACS on Sudan, the UK continues to work closely with a wide range of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on understanding atrocity prevention, early warning and early response systems.
The UK also remains a staunch advocate for justice and accountability for past crimes, something the former Foreign Secretary urged Sudan’s leaders to deliver progress on during his visit to Khartoum in January 2021. The Minister for Africa welcomed the start of Ali Kushayb’s trial on 5 April in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. We hope that this trial marks a wider process of accountability and reconciliation in Sudan. We continue to support the International Criminal Court Prosecutor in his important work to investigate crimes in Darfur and regularly raise concerns of human rights abuses in international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council. On 7 July, we successful secured a resolution to maintain monitoring and reporting on human rights violations at the UN Human Rights Council.
Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2022 at 14:18.
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Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1760):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of (1) an increase in sexual and gender-based violence in the states of Darfur, and (2) the intentional destruction of medical and educational infrastructure in the region between January and May. (HL1760)
Tabled on: 14 July 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
Our thoughts are with those affected by the current situation in Darfur, we continue to condemn the violence. On 29 April, the UN Security Council responded to our request by issuing a press statement, calling for the cessation of violence and destruction, the need for Sudanese authorities to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and for transparent investigations into any crimes committed. We have also reinforced our concerns with the Sudanese authorities, most recently during a visit to Khartoum by the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan on 25-28 June. The UK continues to push for an end to sexual and gender-based violence. Those working to prevent sexual violence against women and girls must be able to do so without fear of reprisal.
We understand that the fragile security situation across Sudan has been exacerbated by the political crisis since the military coup. The UK continues to call for all political actors to engage in dialogue to resolve the current crisis, and implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, including deployment of the National Action Plan for Civilian Protection.
Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2022 at 14:19.
