South Sudan
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Robathan
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, the noble Baroness mentioned the large number of IDPs in the camps within the UN sites, which is where UNMISS must focus. That includes investigating instances of human rights violations and abuses, assisting delivery of aid and supporting the peace agreement. In addition, UNMISS is already allowed to use all necessary force to protect civilians. We are working to ensure that it does just that and are looking at options to strengthen it further. We will be putting further pressure on the UN Security Council for the measures that the noble Baroness mentioned.
Lord Robathan (Con)
My Lords, I reported on Sudan some years ago. It was before independence and the regime in Khartoum was the problem, forcing the civil war and brutally repressing the southern Sudanese. Is there any evidence of the regime in Khartoum continuing to stir up trouble in South Sudan?
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that question. I am not aware of any influence from outside southern Sudan at present. The whole issue is that President Kiir and First Vice-President Machar are the ultimate decision-makers and they are accountable for their forces’ actions.
Companies: Remuneration
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Robathan
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, there is always more that can be done and we hope that, with the policies we have introduced, inequality will reduce.
Lord Robathan (Con)
My Lords, does my noble friend think that many people in the country agreed with that proposal in the Labour Party manifesto last May?
The Earl of Courtown
We all remember what happened at the general election in May. I, by the way, was in Kuala Lumpur at the time. I will not bore noble Lords with what I was doing there, but I do, of course, agree with my noble friend.