Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government plans to make to the international community on the alleged chemical weapons attacks in Dafur.

We are concerned by the allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Sudan and we are aware that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is looking into these. The use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere is contrary to international law and must be wholly condemned. We were also concerned to read the other allegations made in the Amnesty report, which highlight the need for access to conflict-affected areas. Ensuring access for UNAMID throughout Darfur is a crucial next step. We have made this clear in the UN Security Council, and have also raised this in the context of the report directly with the Government of Sudan in London, Khartoum and New York.