Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates is arming the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, a faction involved in serious human rights violations. The UK exported nearly £750 million of arms to the UAE over 2019-2023 under standard individual export licences.
The hon. Gentleman questioned whether the United Arab Emirates is arming the Rapid Support Forces, one of the warring factions in Sudan responsible for crimes against humanity including murder, torture, enslavement, rape and sexual violence. Given that UK-exported arms to the UAE could breach international obligations under criteria 1f, 2, 4, 6 and 7, will the UK cease all arms shipments to the UAE until it is proven that the UAE is not arming the RSF?
The hon. Gentleman will know that the UK has extremely strong controls on arms exports, including to prevent any diversion. That remains important, and we will continue to take that immensely seriously. Secondly, we need all countries with influence in the region to push the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to ensure the protection of civilians.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not directly address whether UK arms exports would be halted or how they were verifying UAE's compliance with international obligations.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Following the fall of El Fasher, there are grave concerns about atrocities in Sudan, including sexual violence and ethnic cleansing. The UK is the penholder at the UN Security Council for both Sudan and protection of civilians.
As penholder at the UN Security Council for both Sudan and the protection of civilians, will she call an emergency session of the Security Council focused on the protection of terrified civilians in Darfur given recent events? She also talked about the Quad before these events. Will she push every country in the Quad—the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE—to act now to prevent further massacres?
I agree with my right hon. Friend that Sudan, the escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis must be on the agenda for the Security Council. We are pressing for that meeting to take place as soon as possible, and to ensure that the protection of civilians is at its heart. There was already a humanitarian crisis in Sudan before the escalation, with huge numbers of people at risk of famine. I also agree on the urgent need to press all parties to cease violence and allow humanitarian aid through.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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News reports indicate summary executions and ethnic cleansing taking place in El Fasher. The UK plays a pivotal role due to its previous position as the Minister for Development.
Given Britain's pivotal role, will the Foreign Secretary urgently review everything we are doing, in order to prevent El Fasher from becoming another Srebrenica?
The right hon. Gentleman is right to raise the grave nature of this crisis and violence taking place in El Fasher. I agree that we need to put on every possible pressure through both the United Nations and directly through the Quad. We need urgent action to get a ceasefire, humanitarian aid through and protection for civilians.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Approximately a quarter of a million civilians are trapped in the city of El Fasher following an 18-month siege. This situation is part of the world's greatest humanitarian catastrophe.
What can the UK Government do with our allies to ensure that we get humanitarian exit routes out of El Fasher for those civilians?
I agree with my hon. Friend that getting civilian pathways out of the city to safety are urgently needed. We are urging for a ceasefire to take place. We need all sides to pull back from this escalating and incredibly dangerous violence.
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