§ 2.42 p.m.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that Bishop Muzorewa has now been held in prison without charge for four months, and that it is alleged that at least three months of this detention have been contrary to the laws of Zimbabwe; and whether as fellow members of the Commonwealth they will make representations.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)My Lords, Bishop Muzorewa's appeal has now been heard by the review tribunal, and the Zimbabwe Government have said that they will abide by its decision. The Zimbabwean authorities are aware of public concern in this country.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, can the noble Baroness indicate when the result of the review tribunal is expected? Would she not agree that keeping anyone in custody for this length of time is contrary to normal practice and is to be deprecated? Further, would the noble Baroness not agree that it would certainly increase confidence in the Zimbabwe Government if Bishop Muzorewa was either charged and tried or set free?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, the noble Lord asked how long it will be before a decision is made. Of course, that is not a matter for us. The tribunal reports direct to the Zimbabwe Government; and, as I indicated in my original Answer to the noble Lord, Lord Paget of Northampton, the Zimbabwean authorities are aware of the public concern in this country.
§ Lord BroxbourneMy Lords, may I join in the welcome to the latest development in this unhappy saga? Do not the events leading up to it reinforce the plea which I made in last Wednesday's debate in this House for a British Government initiative to our Commonwealth partners to examine the possibility of strengthening the structure of the Commonwealth so as to make more effective the support for human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law? Will my noble friend the Minister urge this course upon her Government colleagues?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I listened with great interest to what my noble friend said in the debate last Wednesday, and of course it has been seen by my right 454 honourable friend the Secretary of State. In the present circumstances, it would be wiser to say nothing more than I have already indicated in the House, in the interests of our relationship with Zimbabwe, and the interests of Bishop Muzorewa in particular.
§ Lord WigoderMy Lords, has the hearing before the review tribunal finished; and, if so, when?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, as I indicated in my Answer to the Question, the appeal has been heard by the review tribunal and we do not know when the answer will be given; but it is a matter that is reported to the Zimbabwe Government.
§ Lord WigoderMy Lords, when did the hearing finish?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I do not have the actual date when it finished. We do know that it has been heard.
§ Lord BrockwayMy Lords, would the noble Baroness consider the possibility of the Government taking the initiative in order to get an international convention for human rights, in view of the fact that a United Nations survey shows that 70 countries are denying human rights—unfortunately, many of them our western allies?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I think that the noble Lord's supplementary question is very far wide of the Question on the Order Paper.
Viscount St. DavidsMy Lords, is it not true that any country is entitled to make its own laws? Is it not true that it is usually considered by countries that their own laws are good laws? When a country breaks its own laws, is it not pointing the finger of scorn at itself?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I can confirm that what the Zimbabwe Government are doing is not unconstitutional and is not illegal.