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Chad/Sudan

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent assessment he has made of whether violence from Darfur is crossing the border into Chad; [57705]

(2) what recent assessment he has made of the security situation around Adre", Chad. [57711]

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned by the security situation in Darfur and along the Chadian border. Rebel groups and militia from both Chad and Sudan regularly cross the border, and there have been reports of further clashes in recent days. The situation in Adre" and along the border is tense. Stability in both countries is vital for the region and we therefore welcome the peace agreement signed by the Presidents of both Sudan and Chad in Libya on 8 February. We call on the parties to honour it.

During his visit to Sudan on 21–23 February, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development raised these issues with the Government of Sudan and impressed upon them the need to improve the security situation in Darfur. In their meeting with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 3 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, and my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, also pressed on the need to reduce tensions with Chad.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the African Union's involvement in Chad. [57706]

Ian Pearson: As part of the African Union Mission in Sudan's (AMIS) deployment in Darfur, a component is deployed around the Darfuri refugee camps in Eastern Chad, and has a logistics base in the Chadian town of Abeche. AMIS is doing a good job in difficult circumstances and we welcome their presence in Chad.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has received from the Chadian Government concerning violence on the Sudanese border; [57707]

(2) what discussions he has had with African Union Governments on the fighting in Chad. [57716]

Ian Pearson: The Chadian Foreign Minister, Allam-mi Ahmad, called on our permanent representative to the United Nations in New York on 9 January 2006. Allam-mi Ahmad raised his Government's concern about the security situation on the Chad/Darfur border and the negative impact it was having on relations between Sudan and Chad. We made clear that we expected both sides to act with restraint and take steps to reduce the tension. We have also discussed the matter in the African Union partners' liaison group in Addis Ababa.
 
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In their meeting with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 3 February 2006, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, and my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, underlined the need to reduce tensions with Chad. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development raised these issues during his visit to Sudan on 21–23 February.

We welcome the peace agreement signed by the Presidents of both Sudan and Chad in Libya on 8 February, by which both sides committed themselves to refraining from intervening in the other's internal affairs and prevent the presence of rebel groups on their territory. We urge the parties to honour it.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had on the role of NATO in assisting the African Union in Chad and Sudan; [57708]

(2) if he will make a statement on NATO's role in Chad and Sudan. [57709]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed Sudan and the situation in Darfur with a range of African leaders in recent weeks. He believe that NATO is making a valuable contribution in support of the African Union's Mission in Sudan (AMIS), and that NATO should continue to focus its efforts on providing assistance to AMIS. NATO is not involved in Chad and there is no NATO role under consideration.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning refugee camps in Chad and Sudan. [57712]

Ian Pearson: We hold regular discussions with the UN and other humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as the Government of Sudan and other international partners about the camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sudan and refugees in Chad. During his visit to Sudan from 21 to 23 February 2006, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development visited the Abu Shouk camp in North Darfur, meeting with local NGOs and key officials and IDPs to discuss the situation in the camps.

The UK has provided nearly £100 million to support the humanitarian effort in Sudan and Chad since 2003, and we conduct regular monitoring missions to the camps in Sudan and Chad.

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his (a) Chinese, (b) Russian and (c) Qatari counterparts regarding the 30 January UN Security Council report that identifies the Sudanese individuals alleged to be most responsible for war crimes and impeding the peace process in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [56108]

Mr. Straw: We have held several discussions with our Security Council partners, including the Chinese, Russian and Qataris about the 23 December 2005 report of the Panel of Experts, appointed pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1591. We are pressing for swift action by the UN Sanctions Committee on the panel's recommendations, including the listing of
 
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individuals for targeted sanctions. We will not comment on individual names, but that there can be no impunity for those who violate human rights or impede the peace process in Sudan. We will strongly support the imposition of sanctions against individuals who do so, where there is clear and compelling evidence against them.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made on the new law proposed by the Government of Southern Sudan which would require non-governmental organisations to register with the Government within 90 days. [57180]

Ian Pearson: The national Government of Sudan adopted a new national law governing the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 20 February 2006, stipulating that all NGOs must register with the Government within 90 days. Our embassy in Khartoum, other international partners and NGOs have raised this matter with the Government of Sudan on several occasions. During his visit to Sudan on 21–23 February, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, raised our concerns with Vice President Taha and Foreign Minister Lam Akol. Taha agreed to hold detailed discussions with the international community and NGOs on this matter. We will continue to take these discussions forward with the Government of Sudan and the international donor community.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN special representative in Sudan, on whether NATO forces should be deployed in Darfur. [57231]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any recent discussions with Jan Pronk. However, senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in regular contact with him on the situation in Sudan and on support to the African Union in Darfur. NATO, through airlift co-ordination and training, has made a valuable contribution in support of the African Union's Mission in Sudan (AMIS). We believe that NATO should continue to focus its efforts on providing assistance to AMIS.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions are being considered for use against the different factions involved in the Darfur crisis. [57232]

Ian Pearson: UN Security Council Resolution 1591 provides for the imposition of travel bans and assets freezes on individuals involved in the Darfur crisis who have committed violations of international law and other atrocities, or impede the peace process. We are pressing for swift action by the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee, who are currently discussing the issue, to impose such sanctions. We are also pushing for the current arms embargo on Darfur to be extended to the whole of Sudan.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the names of those on the list for the proposed travel ban and freezing of assets of Sudanese Government, militia and rebel leaders are expected to be announced. [57696]

 
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Ian Pearson: It is usual practice for the UN Sanctions Committees not to announce the names of individuals being considered for targeted sanctions. Names are released when the relevant Committee decides to impose sanctions against individuals. We are pressing for swift action by the Sanctions Committee in this case. We will strongly support the imposition of sanctions against individuals who violate human rights or impede the peace process in Sudan.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) China and (b) other UN Security Council members concerning the travel ban and freezing of assets of Sudanese Government, militia and rebel leaders; and if he will make a statement. [57697]

Ian Pearson: We have held several discussions with our Security Council partners, including the Chinese, about the imposition of targeted sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 1591. We have held these discussions bilaterally, in the Sanctions Committee and in the Security Council. We are pressing for swift action by the UN Sanctions Committee on the listing of individuals for targeted sanctions. We are clear that there can be no impunity for those who violate human rights or impede the peace process in Sudan. We will strongly support the imposition of sanctions against individuals who do so where there is clear and compelling evidence against them.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the proposed (a) travel ban and (b) freezing of assets of Sudanese Government, militia and rebel leaders is scheduled to come into effect; when he expects the UN to adopt the measures; and how long each will last. [57698]

Ian Pearson: Targeted sanctions against individuals come into force with immediate effect when the UN Sanctions Committee decides to impose them. We are pressing for swift action by the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee to impose such sanctions against individuals who have committed violations of international law and other atrocities, or impede the peace process. Sanctions remain in place until the UN Sanctions Committee decides they should be lifted.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning President Deby's alleged support of Zaghawa-led rebels in Darfur. [57710]

Ian Pearson: We are aware of reports concerning President Deby's alleged support for Zaghawa-led rebels in Darfur, and of reports concerning the Government of Sudan's alleged support for Chadian rebels. We have called on all sides to show restraint, and on the Governments of Chad and Sudan to resolve their differences and restore calm to the region, without the use of violence.

Stability in both countries is vital for the region and we therefore welcome the peace agreement signed by the Presidents of both Sudan and Chad in Libya on 8 February. Under this agreement, both sides committed themselves to refraining from intervening in the other's internal affairs and prevent the presence of rebel groups on their territory. We call on the parties to honour it.
 
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Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed travel ban and freezing of assets of Sudanese Government, militia and rebel leaders. [57715]

Ian Pearson: UN Security Council Resolution 1591 provides for the imposition of travel bans and assets freezes on individuals involved in the Darfur crisis who have committed violations of international law and other atrocities, or who impede the peace process. We are pressing for swift action by the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee, who are currently discussing the issue, to impose such sanctions. We are clear that there can be no impunity for those who violate human rights or impede the peace process in Sudan. We strongly support the imposition of sanctions against individuals who do so, where there is clear and compelling evidence against them.

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