Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to secure the release of Peter Biar Ajak, who has been detained without trial in South Sudan since July 2018.

The British Government remains concerned by the continued detention of political detainees in South Sudan. We continue to urge the release of all such detainees as part of the implementation of the 12 September peace agreement. We have raised Mr Biar's case with the Government of South Sudan; calling for immediate release, for due process, and access to legal representation. We are aware of recent reports of charges being brought against Mr Biar. To reinforce the importance we place on due process and transparency, UK officials will attend hearings where possible and we will encourage our international partners to do so too.