Government challenged to honour “the responsibility to protect “ in Darfur; to engage with countries like the US, Canada, Germany, and France to galvanise an international response to Genocide; and to respond to reports that Libya is arming the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and adding to the flow of arms into Darfur.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9593):
Question by Lord ALTON of Liverpool
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to prepare for summer recess period in August, when many officials are likely to be away from their posts, to continue monitoring the situation in Sudan, and in particular in Darfur, and to authorise any actions that many be necessary, in accordance with the ‘responsibility to protect’ principle. (HL9593)
Tabled on: 24 July 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
In response to the outbreak of conflict on 15 April, the FCDO created an Enhanced Sudan Unit, bringing together a range of officials with different areas of relevant expertise, to work on the most pressing issues currently facing Sudan. Over the summer recess, the Enhanced Sudan Unit will continue to monitor the situation in Sudan and work with its UK, international and Sudanese partners to bring an end to hostilities, protect civilians and secure unfettered humanitarian access.
Date and time of answer: 07 Aug 2023 at 14:38.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9595):
Question by Lord ALTON of Liverpool
To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to international partners, including the US, Canada, Germany, and France, in relation to the situation in Sudan, in particular in Darfur; and what steps they are taking together in response, in accordance with the ‘responsibility to protect’ principle. (HL9595)
Tabled on: 24 July 2023
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- Lord Alton of Liverpool To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the UN in relation to the violence and atrocities in Sudan, in particular in Darfur; and what steps they are taking in response, in accordance with the ‘responsibility to protect’ principle. (HL9594)
Tabled on: 24 July 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK condemns reports of targeted violence against specific groups in Darfur. We have raised these reports in international fora, including the UN Security Council (UNSC) and Human Rights Council. Most recently, at the 13 July UNSC meeting on the International Criminal Court’s Sudan investigation, we welcomed the ICC Prosecutor’s decision to commence investigations into the offences currently being committed in Darfur. The UK has released funding to organisations who are working with local partners to collect, verify and preserve digital content from the conflict, including incidents of significant abuses. This will play a vital role in amplifying the voices of those who are being targeted and would be permissible in future accountability mechanisms, should they be established. We continue to work with counterparts from African, Quad (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US) and European countries to support efforts to end the violence, protect civilians and secure safe humanitarian access.
Date and time of answer: 07 Aug 2023 at 16:46.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9592):
Question by Lord ALTON of Liverpool
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reports that Libya is arming the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan; and what representations they have made to the government of Libya about the flow of arms into Sudan. (HL9592)
Tabled on: 24 July 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
We are aware of and monitoring reports of Libya providing arms to the Rapid Support Forces. There is a longstanding UK arms embargo in place for the whole of Sudan, as well as a UN arms embargo on Darfur. These sanctions help prevent weapon flow into the country and encourage the resolution of armed conflict in, and stabilisation of, Sudan. In response to the ongoing conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, on 12 July the Minister for Africa and Development also announced a package of six sanctions measures under the UK’s Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. These sanctions will freeze the assets of three commercial entities linked to each party involved in the conflict. These sanctions are designed to press the parties to engage in sustained and meaningful peace process, allow humanitarian access and commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. We will continue to work with counterparts from African, Quad (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US) and European countries, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the United Nations, to end the violence in Sudan.
Date and time of answer: 07 Aug 2023 at 14:36.
