§ 30. Mr. Churchillasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement in regard to British military participation in the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian Commonwealth monitoring force and the extent to which the ceasefire has been effective.
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§ Mr. LuceThe British element in the monitoring force numbers 1,150 and they are represented in all areas of the force's activity. Their conduct during the difficult introductory period of the ceasefire deserves high praise.
The Rhodesian forces disengaged at the outset of the ceasefire. Subsequently some 20,000 Patriotic Front forces have reported to the assembly points. A number of breaches of the ceasefire have occurred. The Governor has taken appropriate action to deal with them in accordance with the agreements.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps are being taken by the Governor of Southern Rhodesia to establish the names and whereabouts of persons detained without trial in that territory at the time he assumed authority.
§ Mr. Luce[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1979, c. 417]: A review of all categories of cases of detention without trial is being undertaken at the direction of the Governor, with a view to the early release of as many persons as possible.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if Her Majesty's Government will make moneys available to Southern Rhodesia to assist the rehabilitation of persons and their families arrested and detained under martial law;
(2) what steps are being taken by the Governor of Southern Rhodesia to give help to the families of political prisoners, some of whom have been in detention for more than a decade.
§ Mr. Luce[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1979, c. 417]: The welfare and rehabilitation of all persons in Rhodesia who have suffered as a result of the unhappy events of the past 14 years will be a major long-term problem which can finally be resolved only by the future Government of independent Zimbabwe. Her Majesty's Government will be ready to help Zimbabwe with technical assistance schemes and to encourage other Governments, international agencies and charitable organisations to contribute to this effort also.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal what is his estimate of the number of political prisoners held in Southern 720W Rhodesia on the day the British Government assumed power.
§ Mr. Luce[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1979, c. 417]: The relevant Rhodesian legislation does not, on the face of it, provide for detention or imprisonment on political grounds and it is not possible to identify with certainty which prisoners or detainees should be regarded as "political prisoners". But when the Governor took office he was informed that 81 persons were being held for an indefinite period by virtue of ministerial detention orders under the emergency powers legislation (as distinct from those who were being held for a limited period for the purpose of investigation). Of these, all but a few have since been released. The cases of the remainder are being actively reviewed. There are three further categories in which those who might be regarded as "political prisoners" could be included:
These will be released in relation to progress in maintaining the ceasefire. In addition, the cases of all persons who are serving sentences of imprisonment for offences covered by the Governor's amnesty ordinance are being reviewed and those who can safety be released will be released. These will include many who might be regarded as "political prisoners".
- a. Those detained under emergency powers for a maximum of 30 days pending investigation;
- b. those held under emergency powers who have been transferred to civil from martial law detention;
- c. those still held in martial law areas under martial law.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will instruct the Governor of Southern Rhodesia to stop forthwith the execution of any persons in that territory, and prohibit any further executions so long as it remains under British rule.
§ Mr. Luce[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1979, c. 417]: No execution can be carried out in Rhodesia before the Governor has decided whether or not to exercise the prerogative of mercy. So far, in all the cases submitted to the Governor in which persons had been sentenced to death for murder and had exhausted their right of appeal, he has commuted the sentences to life imprisonment.