Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps through the UN Security Council to (a) protect Sudanese (i) women and children and (ii) other civilians and (b) hold people responsible for (A) violence and (B) displacement to account.

The conflict in Sudan is having a devastating impact on children. An estimated 17 million children are out of school. More than 50 per cent of Sudan's caseload of 8.8 million internally displaced persons are children. The UK is playing an active role at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to help protect Sudanese civilians. For example, through public interventions, senior engagements, Council products and sanctions, we continue to push the warring parties to take every precaution to safeguard Sudanese civilians, including children. In November 2024, the Minister for Africa chaired a meeting of the UNSC to address the plight of Sudanese civilians, including women and children. The UK also tabled a UNSC resolution on protection of civilians in Sudan which shamefully Russia vetoed. Last month, the Minister for Africa chaired a UNSC Briefing on conflict related sexual violence in Sudan, emphasising the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The UK has also led efforts at the Human Rights Council to establish and renew the mandate for the UN Fact-Finding Mission which is crucial for supporting future accountability efforts in Sudan.