§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of number of farm occupations taking place in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [10576]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Committee of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers visited Zimbabwe on 25–26 October. They found a divergence in the views and facts relating to farm occupations. The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) have reported that occupations continue unabated, and that since the Abuja meeting on 6 September, 688 farms had new people join the occupations. The CFU estimate 200–300 new occupations since 6 September. The Government of Zimbabwe dispute these figures. The Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe have cited several new occupations since Abuja in Mashonaland West. At Abuja, the Government of Zimbabwe gave an assurance that there would be no further occupation of farm lands. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by this commitment.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy initiatives he plans to promote democracy and the rule of law in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [10578]
§ Mr. BradshawWe remain concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. At Abuja, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to abide by the democratic and human rights principles contained in the Harare Declaration. My noble Friend Baroness Amos accompanied Commonwealth partners on a visit to Zimbabwe on 25–26 October, to assess implementation of the Abuja Agreement and to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by their commitments. The EU opened Article 96 consultations on 29 October, to press for closer engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe on human rights, democratic principles and the 669W rule of law. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to admit international election observers and to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of political violence in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [10579]
§ Mr. BradshawWe remain concerned about political violence in Zimbabwe. In the Abuja Agreement, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to take firm action against violence and intimidation. But the Chikomba by-election on 22–23 September was marred by violence. We continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to permit the entry of international election observers, and to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections. My noble Friend Baroness Amos accompanied Commonwealth partners to Zimbabwe on 25–26 October, to assess implementation of the Abuja Agreement and to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by their commitments.