SUDAN

Early day motion 865, tabled 19 June 2000 by Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 88 members.

That this House notes with deep concern the existence of the large-scale practice of abduction and forced labour in Sudan as identified in the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur; further notes that the Rapporteur condemns the practice as heinous and acknowledges that it is linked with the war effort of the government forces of Northern Sudan against the Southern Sudanese Christian people; calls for the release of all those abducted; and urges Her Majesty's Government to raise the Rapporteur's concerns with the Government of Sudan and to actively promote a peaceful solution to the Sudanese civil war which has claimed the lives of more than two million people over the last 30 years.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 19, Conservative 17, Plaid Cymru 4, UUP 2, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, Unknown 1.