As the National Islamic Front Government of Sudan continues to bomb its citizens, President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Baroness Cox, initiated a debate calling for stronger action by the British Government.

Baroness Cox clashed with the Government in an exchange during a starred question mini-debate in the House of Lords on January 17. It is estimated that at least 80 people have been killed by Government of Sudan bombs between July and November last year.

She accused the Government of being 'unduly complacent', and noted that civilian targets have continued to be bombed by the Government of Sudan in the opening weeks of this month.

The Government was challenged by Lady Cox to provide any evidence that the British Government's policy of what she termed 'critical dialogue with a regime which continues to slaughter its people', was working.

Government Minister Baroness Amos denied that the British Government was being complacent, and asserted that continuing and intensified dialogue was the way forward. Baroness Amos also denied that Sudan was a state sponsor of terrorism and a supporter of the Al'Qaeda movement.

Peers from all sides of the House rallied to Baroness Cox's support. Cross-bencher and well known Christian campaigner Lord Alton pointed out to the Government that slavery remains one of the most serious human rights abuses in Sudan.

From the Bishops' bench, the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford noted that the Sudanese regime had recently assassinated a key community leader in the Nuba Mountains, as part of its ongoing campaign against the people of that area. This violated a ceasefire negotiated by US Special Envoy to Sudan, Senator John Danforth.

Conservative front bencher Lord Astor of Hever backed up Baroness Cox's argument that the policy of critical dialogue was having no positive outcomes at all.

Two peers, the veteran Liberal Democrat human rights campaigner Lord Avebury and the Conservative Lord Elton, raised the case of Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian woman who has been sentenced to death for alleged adultery by a sharia court.

Lord Elton also noted that the trial was conducted entirely in Arabic, a language of which Abok has no knowledge, and that no translator was provided for her. He added that money from the Government's oil revenues was being used to buy new military hardware.

CSW remains concerned that Christians are tried under sharia law in the north of Sudan.

As the British Government continues to defend its policy of ongoing dialogue with the Sudanese regime, Baroness Cox added: "The toll of suffering in Sudan, with two million dead and five million displaced from war-related causes in recent years exceeds that of former Yugoslavia, Somalia and the previous tragedy of Rwanda put together.

"It is imperative that the British Government and all concerned with peace and justice, respond more vigorously and with a greater sense of urgency to this unparalleled, man-made suffering and call the National Islamic Front regime to account before many more innocent people suffer and die."