Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline, in response to over 500 days of the conflict in Sudan, which has caused almost 10 million to be forced to flee their homes making it the world’s largest displacement crisis, the actions the Government has taken on this; and if his Department will consider actions (details supplied). [37279/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am gravely concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Over 12 million people have been displaced, 25 million face acute hunger, and famine has been declared in North Darfur. The UN’s Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has found evidence of widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity, with both conflict parties deliberately blocking urgently needed humanitarian access.

Ireland has been responding to this catastrophe. On the humanitarian front Ireland has provided over €10.5 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan so far this year, and a further €2.5 million in support of Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries. Ireland has also supported UN and EU calls to facilitate cross-border humanitarian access and allow the unimpeded delivery of aid into the country.

Ireland has also provided support to civil society organisations working on peace mediation, civil society dialogue, conflict analysis and human rights, including protection for human rights defenders. Ireland is a longstanding partner of the Sudanese health system, with a focus on medical education. This is continuing, including through HSE donation of hospital equipment. Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to put civil society at the centre of Sudan’s political future.

However the provision of aid on its own is not sufficient. This crisis requires international pressure for a political solution.

Last year, the Tánaiste led calls at the Foreign Affairs Council for a new EU sanctions regime against individuals undermining peace in Sudan. Twelve entities and individuals have now been listed under the new instrument. The Tánaiste is due to discuss the situation again at the Foreign Affairs Council in October.

Ireland implements sanctions on individuals and entities designated on EU and UN terrorist sanctions lists. Such a designation in the EU is a legal process which requires unanimity and must be based on a legal designation as a terrorist organisation by a member state.

Ireland is working to ensure extension of the mandate of the UN’s International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan. For the sake of Sudan’s political future, those who violate human rights and humanitarian law must be held accountable for their actions. While it is regrettable that the UN Security Council did not adopt the Fact-Finding Mission’s recommendation to extend the current UN arms embargo from Darfur to the whole of Sudan, the current EU arms embargo on Sudan extends to the whole of the territory of Sudan.

It is vital that external actors end all actions which fuel and prolong the conflict. Along with our European partners, we have called on all states that are supplying arms and funds to the belligerents to cease their support immediately, including as expressed in the April 2024 EU Statement on Sudan. We will continue to avail of opportunities to raise these issues directly with countries concerned.

In view of the scale of forced displacement, Ireland will continue to provide support for the humanitarian and protection response in neighbouring countries. While, Ireland’s asylum and immigration framework is a matter for the Minister for Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains contact with representatives of the Sudanese community in Ireland, who continue to express deep concern for the catastrophic humanitarian and conflict situation.