Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that churches have been burnt down in Sudan; who they believe to be responsible; and what assessment they have made, if any, of the motivation behind such activity.

We are aware of recent reports of churches being burnt down in the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan. Our staff are unable to access the areas in question so have been unable to verify these reports. We engage with the Government of Sudan frequently to promote freedom of religion or belief, including on the destruction of churches. Most recently this included supporting an event in Khartoum with the Bishop of Leeds on 29 January to press for greater religious freedom for all Sudanese people. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Government of Sudan, including those related to church demolitions and the situation in the Nuba Mountains, as part of our frequent engagement on human rights issues.