Sudan: Protection of Civilians

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)]

I am grateful to my experienced right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds) for her urgent question. As the grandson of a proud Jamaican, I am grateful to the Minister for updating us on efforts to mitigate the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

The events in Sudan are inexplicably evil. The brutal murder of people at a hospital in recent days and over many months are frankly crimes against humanity, and I add my voice to urging the Minister to engage as much as he can with the Sudanese diaspora not just in Newcastle-under-Lyme, but up and down the country. The two words we have not yet heard are “African Union”. Can the Minister tell me what engagement has taken place with the African Union in recent days to ensure that the power of that body is exercised as quickly as possible?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

We need much shorter questions, please.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Doughty]

The hon. Gentleman knows how seriously I take these issues, not least as a former member of that Committee. Obviously, though, it is for this House to determine its Committees, not me. I can assure him that we have one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. All licences are assessed for the risk of diversion, and we regularly prevent exports that might be diverted to an undesirable end user. I will keep these matters under very close review, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that they will be considered fully, in line with our strategic export licensing criteria.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I call John Grady, who is trying to confuse the Chair by sitting exactly opposite where he normally sits. I found you eventually.

[John Grady (Glasgow East) (Lab)]

I do apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker.

We are talking today about a massacre at a hospital where mums, dads and little babies should be safe and helped. With that in mind, those who commit war crimes should be held to account. Can the Minister please reassure me that the UK is doing everything possible to ensure that international criminal law is enforced, and that its application and enforcement are improved? Can he also reaffirm to me our Government’s absolute support for the independence of the International Criminal Court?

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Doughty]

I have always been clear that aid workers must never be targets. The shocking deaths of aid volunteers and others in recent days have horrified the whole world. My hon. Friend can be assured that in our contact directly with the RSF and all the parties to the conflict, we regularly raise the protection of humanitarian workers and, most importantly, the need for an end to this horrific conflict.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

For the final Back Bencher contribution, I call Mark Sewards.

[Mark Sewards (Leeds South West and Morley) (Lab)]

Three days ago, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that

“Member States with influence must act urgently to prevent large-scale atrocities”

by the RSF and allied fighters. But atrocities have happened: 460 people have died in a maternity hospital. What has the UK done since that statement was made, in conjunction with the Quad and the African Union, to try to help those people trapped in El Fasher? While I know that the Minister cannot comment on future additional sanctions, will he at least consider additional sanctions or travel bans for RSF leaders and their regional backers?