asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they are making to the Government of Sudan about the stamping of exit visas for humanitarian workers who have been working in Darfur with prohibitions on their return to Sudan within a six-month period from the date of departure; and what assessment they have made of the impact of these new restrictions on the ability of agencies to recruit humanitarian workers and their capacity to deliver relief programmes. [HL3493]

The stamping of passports with a six-month no re-entry clause is yet another bureaucratic impediment that has been imposed by the Sudanese authorities on the operations of humanitarian agencies, particularly international non-governmental organisations (INGOs). This new practice contravenes the UN/Government of Sudan joint communiqué signed on 28 March 2007 which the UK was prominent in helping to secure. This issue was raised, along with other impediments, in the joint communiqué's oversight committee, the first meeting of which was held on 2 May 2007.

It is difficult to assess the specific impact of these new restrictions on the ability of humanitarian agencies to recruit international staff members. It is clear, however, that the cumulative effect of the many bureaucratic impediments faced by INGOs is having a severe impact on agencies' ability to deliver vital aid to the people of Darfur.