Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was their response to (1) the reported arrest in Sudan, since 2011, of nearly 200 Christian leaders, (2) the reported demolition or partial demolition of 20 churches in Sudan, (3) the reported refusal of the Sudanese authorities to provide permits for the replacement of those churches, and (4) the statement of the former US Secretary of State that the government of Sudan “arrests, detains, and intimidates clergy and church members”; and what British aid is being used within Sudan to promote recognition of the obligations under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, concerning freedom of religion or belief.

Sudan remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and we are deeply concerned by the continuing demolition of churches, and restrictions on Christian school opening days. We are considering ways that FCO programme funding could help to promote freedom of religion or belief in Sudan.

We continue to raise our concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Government as part of the human rights element of our UK-Sudan Strategic Dialogue, the next round of which will take place in April.