Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 June 2007.

Sudan: Sanctions

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the decision of the Government of the United States to press for new sanctions against the Government of Sudan; and what efforts they are making in the Security Council of the United Nations to press for the implementation of all existing resolutions against Sudan.

Answer: We welcome the extension of existing US sanctions. They are an important element in maintaining the pressure to solve the crisis in Darfur. But we, along with the US and France, remain committed to a robust UN Security Council resolution if the Government of Sudan and rebel movements do not co-operate fully. This would include further targeted sanctions against individuals engaged in violence or responsible for authorising it; expanding the arms embargo to cover the whole of Sudan; and measures to allow better monitoring of the illegal use of aircraft in Darfur. The UN Secretariat reports regularly to the Security Council on the situation in Darfur and compliance with the council’s resolutions. We use these reports, information gathered from Sudan and our wider contacts with the international community, and our membership of the Security Council’s sanctions committee to press for improved implementation of all existing resolutions.

Secondary information