Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 March 2010. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Zimbabwe: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress by the Unity Government of Zimbabwe on human rights; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Human rights abuses continue in Zimbabwe, with a recent worrying increase in the harassment of civil society.In December 2009, the signatories of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) agreed on the composition of a new Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC). Members of the ZHRC have yet to be sworn in but its ability to operate freely will have a key impact on monitoring and tackling human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.We, with our partners, will continue to monitor the human rights situation closely and support efforts to prevent abuses and institute international human rights standards.

Secondary information