Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking as Penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; and if he will make it his policy to request (a) regular humanitarian briefings on Sudan at the Security Council and (b) a report to the Council with options for civilian protection mechanisms in Sudan in the absence of a political or peacekeeping mission.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK has used its position as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council and penholder on Sudan to call multiple meetings to take action in response to the conflict, to call for a ceasefire, and to discuss the dire humanitarian and human rights situation On 27 February, we called for the UN Security Council to convene for a closed consultation in response to the SAF's decision to withdraw permission for the movement of aid into Sudan from the Adre border crossing in Chad. On 8 March, the UK-led UN Security Council Resolution 2724 called for an immediate cessation of hostilities; unhindered humanitarian access; and for the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra to complement and coordinate regional peace efforts. We continue to work with Council members to keep Sudan on the UNSC's agenda and to call for a cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access including at the next UK-requested Sudan Security Council meeting on 19 April.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help prevent widespread famine in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK continues to push for improved humanitarian access into and within Sudan to assist people who are hungry. In 2024/2025, UK ODA to Sudan will nearly double to £89 million. This was announced during Minister Mitchell's visit to the Chad border this month, where he met refugees fleeing the conflict, including many displaced by hunger as well as violence. UK aid will include funding to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people particularly in hard-to reach areas; and the World Food Programme to assist over 285,000 beneficiaries for 6 months by providing 13,405 tons of assorted food commodities such cereals, pulses, oils and salt. Ultimately the best way to ensure people don't go hungry is for the violence to end, and the UK continues to do all we can to press the parties into a permanent ceasefire.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for what reason the post of UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan has been vacant since October 2023.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The post of UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan has been reconfigured and no longer exists. The position of Special Representative for South Sudan has been occupied by Clare Staunton since October 2023. The role of the Special Representative for Sudan has been taken on by the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, reflecting the critical role of the wider region in the conflict, and has been filled Sarah Montgomery, who will be succeeded by Alison Blackburne in summer 2023. The UK Ambassador for Sudan, Giles Lever, is now based in Addis Ababa with his team.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to (a) the World Bank and (b) other multilateral and regional financial institutions on providing additional funding to the budget for the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
On 15 April Lord Benyon attended the Sudan Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Paris which was attended by key bilateral and multilateral partners seeking to bring peace to Sudan and support the Sudanese people. We continue to work with international partners to encourage a concerted international effort and sufficient funding to respond to the crisis in Sudan. In 2024-25 the ODA budget for Sudan will increase to £89 million.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make it his policy to support the appointment of a UN special humanitarian advisor on Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK continues to support UN leadership - through the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - to respond to the humanitarian crises caused by the conflict in Sudan. The UK will continue to support the UN Country team which remains operational on the ground in Sudan. The UK has nearly doubled bilateral ODA to Sudan for this financial year (2024/25) to £89 million. We also support the role of the Secretary General's Personal Envoy on Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on tackling sexual violence in conflict; and if he will make it his policy to call for incidents of sexual violence by (a) Hamas and (b) the Israel Defense Forces to be independently investigated.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK condemns sexual violence unequivocally and without exception. Reports of sexual violence on and since 7th October are deeply disturbing. The UK has consistently called for these reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.
Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict programmes and dedicated funding totalling £60 million, we are leading work internationally to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and strengthen justice and support for all survivors.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to his Egyptian counterpart on including Alaa Abdel Fattah Alaa in this year’s Presidential pardon list.
Answered by David Rutley
Ministers and officials continue to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. They have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for urgent consular access, utilising a variety of mechanisms, including through public and private engagement.
The Foreign Secretary raised this case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry on 22 February. As Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon raised this case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 28 March and with the Egyptian Ambassador on 20 February. Both Lord Ahmad and the Foreign Secretary discussed Mr El-Fattah with FM Shoukry and President Sisi in December 2023. The Prime Minister also spoke to President Sisi about Mr El-Fattah on 1 December 2023.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department has taken recent steps to help secure the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah in Egypt.
Answered by David Rutley
Ministers and officials continue to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. They have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for urgent consular access, utilising a variety of mechanisms, including through public and private engagement.
The Foreign Secretary raised this case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry on 22 February. As Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon raised this case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 28 March and with the Egyptian Ambassador on 20 February. Both Lord Ahmad and the Foreign Secretary discussed Mr El-Fattah with FM Shoukry and President Sisi in December 2023. The Prime Minister also spoke to President Sisi about Mr El-Fattah on 1 December 2023.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the question from the hon. Member for Hodge Hill, during the Urgent Question on Israel and Gaza of 19 March 2024, Official Report, column 820, how many occasions he has (a) received and (b) made a Statement to the House on the Law Officers' advice in relation to the Israeli Government's compliance with international humanitarian law.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
We have previously assessed that Israel is committed and capable of complying with International Humanitarian Law. We regularly review our assessment.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 17856 on Israel: Hamas, when he last made an assessment of Israel's (a) capability and (b) commitment to International Humanitarian Law.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
We have previously assessed that Israel is committed and capable of complying with International Humanitarian Law. We regularly review our assessment.