HC Deb 24 February 1999 vol 326 cc320-1W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the placement by President Mugabe of Zimbabwe of top army officers in key civilian Government positions. [72729]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I receive regular reports about developments in Zimbabwe, including on senior government appointments. In November 1998 Brigadier Muzonini (Rtd) and Brigadier Bonyongwe were appointed Director and Deputy Director respectively of the Central Intelligence Organisation.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the report by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace on the murder and torture of civilians by the Zimbabwean Army and security agents. [72723]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We are aware of the disturbing report by the Legal Resources Foundation and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace into the atrocities in Matabeleland during the 1980s. When I met President Mugabe in December 1998 I urged him to address the outstanding human rights issues, in the interest of national reconciliation.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the personal involvement of President Mugabe in civil rights abuses in Zimbabwe. [72722]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

President Mugabe has used emergency powers to curb industrial action, which we understand the Zimbabwean parliament has rejected. We have no reports that he was personally involved in the detention and apparent torture of journalists, but neither has he condemned these abuses. He has made a series of statements which undermine the independence of the Courts, Media, and civil rights groups.

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