§ 4. Mr. GogginsWhat representations he has made about the state of emergency in Zambia. [31798]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr.Tony Lloyd)We have urged the Zambian Government quickly to complete their investigations into the coup attempt, to charge or release detainees, to address claims of torture and to lift the state of emergency soon. We note that most of the detainees have now been charged.
§ Mr. GogginsI thank my hon. Friend for his reassuring answer. Does he agree that last October's failed—some might say rather pathetic—coup attempt in Zambia is symptomatic of a country that spends four times as much on debt relief as on health care, which is rife with corruption and where, in the words of ex-President Kaunda, there are no jobs, only people dying of hunger? Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government will do everything within their power to encourage good governance and sensible economic reform in that country so that the impoverished people of Zambia can look forward to a more hopeful and stable future?
§ Mr. LloydIn many ways, the real tragedy of Zambia is that the present Government seemed to be making real progress, so when the attempted coup took place and President Chiluba quite correctly told his people to go about their business, it was all the more bizarre and surprising that he then announced a state of emergency. Even more deplorable was the continuation of that state of emergency in January.
We want Zambia to get back on a proper path of reconstruction for the benefit of its people. However, that will mean lifting the state of emergency and bringing to speedy and fair trial those who have been detained. Before the rest of the world is ready to begin the real process of helping those who are most impoverished by the situation 305 in Zambia, the Zambian Government must commit to a drive against corruption and to the restoration of constitutional order.
§ Mr. WellsWhat representations have Her Majesty's Government made to the Government of Zambia, and particularly the President, on behalf of ex-President Kaunda? Is it not outrageous that, first, he has been banned from standing in Zambian elections and, secondly, as I understand it, he remains under house arrest? If he has been charged, I do not believe that he has been brought to justice. That is thoroughly anti-democratic and something that we cannot possibly support.
§ Mr. LloydI make it quite clear that former President Kaunda is only one of some 100-plus people who were detained, initially without charge. I am glad to inform the House that subsequently the former President has been charged—although we are very concerned about the nature of the charges that have been laid. They include having knowledge of a conspiracy to overthrow the Government, which is very unusual. I cancelled my visit to Zambia at the time of the former President's detention because it would have been impossible to go ahead in the circumstances. We shall continue to urge the Zambian Government to lift the state of emergency and ensure that the former President, as well as all the other detainees, has a fair and speedy trial.