Sudan

Baroness Uddin Excerpts

Thursday 17th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I often find myself asking what the point is of many of these declarations and resolutions in these situations. We need to fully understand this context, and I am sure the noble Lord does: enforcement would be great, but who is going to do it and how would it happen? We clearly need to see civilians protected, along with aid workers, who are being deliberately targeted. The targeting of refugee camps is abhorrent, but one of the most frustrating aspects of this situation is the unwillingness of the armed groups to enter into any kind of meaningful process that could bring about peace. We talk about peacekeeping and so on, but there is no peace to keep. At the moment, this is the worst situation on the planet from a humanitarian point of view, and my great fear is that, until those leaders decide it is in their best interests to enter into a process, it will get worse.

[Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl)]

I express my gratitude to the Minister for describing what must have been a heart-rending nightmare, speaking to the innocent people, particularly the women and children, who have been suffering so dreadfully. I declare my interest as a member of the all-party parliamentary group. I have visited Sudan, and it is one of my favourite countries. It breaks my heart to see the utter devastation and the ruins in which it lies.

My question follows on from the discussions many noble Lords and Members in the other place have had with representatives of the diaspora community, who say that Britain is best placed to discuss with its international partners, including in the Arab world, how to ensure that women and children are not raped and pillaged in the numbers that are happening right now. Can the Minister say something about any discussions she may be having about this dreadful situation and how we can work together with other nations to ensure that it comes to an end? A ceasefire is an absolute must now. I hear what she says about enforcing our will on others, but we have a lot more to do in ensuring that the message is powerful and clear that we will not stand for it.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is right. I should have talked in response to an earlier comment about the strength of the diaspora community here in the UK and their fierce desire to see peace return to their beloved country.

We are working closely with others to try, and that was the purpose of the conference we held earlier this year: to bring together Gulf states and others from across the world who want to see this situation improve, to consider what we can do together that would have an impact on the ground in Sudan. There are those who have more influence than others in this situation, and we are talking to them, as well as doing what we can ourselves, in the hope that at some point arms do not find their way into the hands of people who are using them against civilians, refugees and aid workers. My fear is that, until that happens, we will see the violence continue. As ever, the devastating consequences are felt most hard by women and the populations least able to protect themselves in Sudan.