Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about the situation in Sudan. I am truly horrified by the reports of mass atrocities against civilians in El Fasher as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) advance. The scale of suffering is difficult to comprehend, and it is right that the UK called for an emergency UN Council meeting about recent developments.
I am aware that the suffering is often based on ethnicity. Women and girls are also facing widespread sexual violence, and there are reports that defenceless civilians are being tortured and executed. Aid workers who are trying to reach vulnerable communities facing famine are also being targeted.
The Government is calling for the RSF to cease all attacks on aid workers and civilian infrastructure. Reports of executions at El Fasher’s Saudi Maternity Hospital and the killing of clearly identified Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers in North Kordofan are incredibly harrowing. If verified, they are a clear breach of international humanitarian law.
It is crucial that we support efforts to hold the perpetrators of such atrocities accountable. Evidence is being collected and the UK has continually supported the work of the UN fact-finding mission to make sure human rights violations are thoroughly investigated in this conflict.
UK aid is making a difference on the ground by committing £120 million in aid in April, and has already mobilised £23 million of this to support the emergency humanitarian response in North Darfur. This will support those facing sexual violence and go towards the delivery of lifesaving food and health assistance. I also understand the UK is providing specific support to those who have suffered sexual and gender-based violence in this conflict.
I can assure you that the UK Government will use every diplomatic lever to try to bring an end to this terrible conflict – not just in the light of the atrocities of the past few days, but in the light of all the loss of life and violence that we have seen over the past years.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland