22-1-05

Local MP begins visit to Sudan

John Barrett, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh West, will today begin a two week visit of Sudan as part of a major parliamentary into the humanitarian crisis affecting the country.
 
The region of Darfur in Sudan has witnessed one of the worst African humanitarian disasters of recent times. Over 1 million Sudanese people have been forced to flee their homes and over 50,000 people have been killed so far in attacks that some have described as genocide. Despite a peace agreement signed between theSudan’s Government and rebels, there have been continued reports of violence.
 
The House of Commons International Development Committee, which includes John Barrett, announced in September that it would be conducting an in depth inquiry into how the international community had responded to the crisis. Members of the Committee flew toSudantoday to see first hand the problems of the region and the effectiveness of the aid being provided.
 
John Barrett said: “At a time when the world’s focus is on tsunami disaster inSouth East Asia, it is important that we also remember another disaster inSudan, a disaster that was entirely preventable.
 
“That is why this inquiry I am taking part in is so important. We need to see how effective the aid effort has been and whether the signed peace agreement is actually working for ordinary people inDarfur. Perhaps, most importantly of all, we need to learn how we can prevent such mass killings from happening again. After all, the international community promised 10 years ago to never allow the genocide ofRwandato be repeated.
 
“We have already taken evidence from Government Ministers and aid agencies atWestminster. This visit will allow us to speak to people on the ground and learn first hand what more can be done.”
 
ENDS