§ Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the consequences of the recent attempted coup in Zambia. [20594]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe welcome the prompt restoration of civilian government. We hope the State of Emergency will soon be lifted. We have expressed concern to the Zambian authorities at the numbers in detention and at reports of torture, most recently when I met the Zambian High Commissioner on 10 November. We welcome the712W Zambian Permanent Human Rights Commission's statement condemning torture and calling for the officers concerned to be arrested, as well as President Chiluba's support for their stance. We are monitoring developments closely and I will visit Zambia from 7 to 9 January.