SPEAKER ABBOT AWARD TO ALFRED TABAN

Early day motion 521, tabled 6 July 2005 by David Drew (Labour). Signed by 26 members.

That this House congratulates Alfred Taban of Sudan for the recognition for outstanding journalism by the presentation of the Speaker Abbot Award to him, by Speaker Martin on Tuesday 5th July and in particular for his bravery in the face of personal risk including torture, and for his commitment to bring to the wider world the horrors of Darfur; urges the British Government to put pressure on the regime in Khartoum to re-open the Khartoum Monitor, Alfred's newspaper, which he edits, so that Sudan can begin to demonstrate the traits of a democracy including a free press; and thanks the BBC World Service and Human Rights Watch for nominating him.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 2, UUP 1.