Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 20 March 2007.

Sudan: Darfur

Question: My Lords, has the Minister seen that some participants have withdrawn from the international donor consortium meeting now taking place in consequence of Khartoum’s refusal to allow humanitarian access to Darfur to be placed on the agenda? What was the decision of Britain and the European Union concerning participation in that meeting? Does he now consider that the situation in Darfur is an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe at least equivalent to what obtained in Kosovo and that therefore the international community is entitled under international law to intervene, with force if necessary, against the wishes of the Sudanese Government?

Answer: My Lords, Resolution 1706 and the Addis agreement make it plain that the international community has undertakings—not least from the Government of Sudan and some of the rebel groups—that there needs to be a firm peacekeeping operation in which the United Nations plays a key role. A fundamental part of that role is the protection of people. There is no question in my mind but that such power now exists. There is a desire to try to make sure that that happens without increasing the amount of bloodshed, and we are urging that that is precisely what happens.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 690 c1144-5
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations United Nations Sanctions Sudan African Union Darfur UN Security Council
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk