L

Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 4 November 2025

Debate

Sudan: Protection of Civilians

Contribution

My Lords, Tom Fletcher, the head of UN OCHA, told the United Nations Security Council that there was indifference and resignation among the UN Security Council members. As the UK is the penholder for this crisis, we must take our share of the responsibility. Some 90% of children in Sudan are out of education, and 24 million people—40% of the population—lack sufficient food. We have been horrified by the scenes, most recently in El Fasher, that are in brazen defiance of Security Council Resolution 2736, passed in 2024, for the protection of civilians. In July, I asked the Minister what steps were being made by the UK for enforcing that resolution. She said she wondered what the point is of having these resolutions if they are not enforced. That resolution gave the Security Council authority for enforcement measures. What tangible steps is the UK, as penholder, taking to mobilise the protection of civilians, which is authorised in the UN charter and, specifically, in this resolution?

More from Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

Partner sites