Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 26 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 March 2001. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 March 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that the Government of Tanzania discontinues the harassment of opposition politicians on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to ensure that the Government of Tanzania discontinues the harassment of opposition politicians on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. [151694] Mr. Wilson: We were shocked by the killings, mass arrests and other human rights abuses carried out by the security forces on Zanzibar at the end of January against civilians exercising their democratic right to peaceful assembly. We believe that progress can only be made through serious dialogue between the Government and the Opposition. When I saw the Tanzanian Foreign Minister on 15 February I urged him to ensure that the security forces acted with restraint and that the Governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar entered into dialogue without preconditions with the Opposition.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 151694; 364 c237W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Abuse Human rights Politics and government Oppression Tanzania Zanzibar
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk