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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to assist in the restoration of freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. [157420] Mr. Straw: The Government are providing practical and political support to civil society, human rights organisations and all those in Zimbabwe who want to see an early return to a democratically accountable government which respects human rights and the rule of law. We are providing humanitarian assistance to millions of Zimbabwean people on the basis of need. We are encouraging the South African government, and others in the region, to push for a return to democracy and freedom. We have been a consistent advocate of a robust international approach. In December, we argued successfully to maintain Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth. Mugabe has since withdrawn from the Commonwealth, demonstrating that he is now incapable of meeting the Harare principles which he helped to establish. This week, the EU extended sanctions against the Mugabe regime, rightly standing with the people of Zimbabwe, and against those responsible--Mugabe and his government--for bringing a once prosperous and successful state to the edge of total collapse. The number of those caught by the sanctions now rises from 79 to 95. Those we have added to the list include several individuals who bear particular responsibility for the abuses of human rights in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's opposition party welcomed this move, saying it was "a clear indication that the international community will not fold its arms while the regime in Zimbabwe continues to trample upon people's basic human rights".

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

418 c807-8W;418 c827-8W; 157420

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Development aid Democracy EU action Sanctions Zimbabwe

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk