Answer given by Mr Mimica on behalf of the Commission

10.2.2017

The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces are not benefitting and will not benefit from direct or indirect support under the Better Migration Management (BMM) project, or under any other current or future EU-funded project.

The BMM project builds on risk-mitigating mechanisms. Respect of human rights is key to EU support, and the EU will not compromise on rights-based and ‘do-no-harm’ principles. Conflict analyses are routinely undertaken to minimise the risk of unintended consequences.

The project is based on the assumption that the capacity of public authorities need to be built to fight trafficking and smuggling networks which victimise vulnerable groups. The recognised risks involved, including the possibility of abuses in a context of widespread corruption, are further mitigated by the project's implementation modalities. Activities are carried out by a consortium of EU Member States agencies and international organisations with an existing presence on the ground, and are tailored according to the particularities of each country, reflecting principled EU policy.

A due diligence process is applied to ensure that support is provided only to those institutions which support the rule of law. Checks and balances are put in place to monitor the activities' impact. All country packages, including the one for Sudan, are published once they are approved. All activities mainstream human rights and gender to prevent the criminalisation of irregular migrants and to protect victims of human trafficking. In the case of Sudan, actions are also defined in full respect of the current UN and EU sanctions regimes.

Any potential financing of capacity building in support of security and development in the future would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.