Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the burning down of three churches in Bout, in Sudan’s Blue Nile State; and what representations they have made to the government of Sudan about upholding and safeguarding the rights of minorities to follow their chosen beliefs, as enshrined in Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Despite some signs of progress under the civilian-led government in Sudan, including institutions observing Christian holidays and allowing Christians to attend church services on Sundays, we remain concerned by ongoing infringements of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sudan. The burning down of three churches in Sudan’s Blue Nile State is disturbing and the Sudanese authorities must investigate. That these churches were attacked having been rebuilt by members of the local community after previous arson attacks is tragic, and those who seek to sow division must not succeed. Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief as a means of enhancing tolerance and inclusion remains a key part of our ongoing engagement with Sudan. I personally raised this case, along with wider human rights issues, with the Sudanese ambassador and I urge the Sudanese authorities to prevent such attacks and investigate.

Our Embassy in Khartoum’s human rights programming aims to address bureaucratic obstacles and legal restrictions that disproportionately affect religious minorities, which has included the denial of permits for Church buildings and cases of church demolition. Sudan is a priority country in the UK’s Annual Human Rights Report and we will continue to urge respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities to follow their chosen beliefs, in our engagement with the Sudanese authorities.