Sudan: Religious Freedom

(asked on 17th November 2016) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the fairness of the trial in Sudan of four Christians, Rev Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour, Rev Kuwa Shamal Abazmam Kurri, Abdulmonem Abdumawla Issa Abdumawla, and Petr Jasek; and whether they take account of instances of capital punishment, show trials, adherence to human rights, and regard for freedom of religion or belief, when developing policy with regard to Sudan.


This question was answered on 29th November 2016

We remain concerned about the ongoing trial and continued detention of Reverend Hasan Abduraheem Kodi Taour, Reverend Kuwa Shamal Kori, Mr Abdulmonem Abdumawla, and Mr Petr Jasek. In coordination with our international partners we have ensured that there is a diplomatic presence at each stage of the trial. Officials from our Embassy attended the hearing on 26 September and officials from Switzerland attended the most recent session on 21 November on behalf of the international community. We also remain in close contact with the lawyers representing the defendants.

Sudan is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Priority Country. We always take our human rights concerns into consideration when developing policy, and we regularly lobby the government of Sudan on these through dialogue in London, Khartoum and New York. Human rights remain an issue of great importance to the UK, and we are firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief across the world.

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