Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Blaker (Conservative). It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007.

Zimbabwe

Question: Whether they expect the European Union targeted measures against Zimbabwe to be continued when they expire in February 2007.

Answer: My Lords, the Government expect that targeted measures against Zimbabwe will be renewed in February. Since their rollover last February, the situation in the countryhas only worsened: peaceful demonstrations have been violently disrupted, the economy continuesto be grossly mismanaged and the opposition and independent media remain suppressed. Until democracy, the rule of law and full human rights are restored in Zimbabwe, it is right that Mugabe and his regime should continue to be isolated by the international community.

Secondary information