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The Committee has continued to investigate the Darfur situation since its report in March 2005 (HC 67-I, 5th report of session 2004-05, ISBN 0215023420) and the Government's response (Cm. 6576, ISBN 0101657625). The reported decline in attacks is due, the Committee believes, to de facto ethnic cleansing having succeeded. The consequent increase in the number of people dependent upon humanitarian aid is a concern, especially as the ability of aid agencies to deliver assistance has been seriously affected by banditry and violence. The Committee finds that the Sudan government has not done enough to stop the violence, and should have sanctions imposed on it by the United Nations (UN) until it does so. It also questions the effectiveness of the African Union (AU) force trying to prevent the violence. Its funding is insufficient, and its manpower under strength. The UN Millennium Review Summit declared a responsibility to protect the civilians in Darfur, and the Committee feels that that responsibility should be adopted by all UN members, not just neighbouring African ones. It calls on the UK Government to take action to put resources in place, either through the UN or the AU, to ensure effective protection for people in Darfur.

Contains the 4th session of the 28th Parliament through the session of the Parliament.