§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the cases of terrorist acts against the holders of British citizenship in Zimbabwe in each of the past five years. [13399]
§ Mr. BradshawWhile we continue to be concerned by the high level of violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe, we have no record of any terrorist acts against British citizens in Zimbabwe in the past five years.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations(a) his Department and (b) international organisations have made to the Government of Zimbabwe on (i) the eviction of black farm workers from their homes as a result of land reform policy and (ii) the recent attacks on and arrests of opposition MDC supporters in Matabeleland; what representations his Department has made to SADC countries concerning sending election observer missions to Zimbabwe for the presidential election; what steps he is taking to ensure that a free and fair presidential election will be held in Zimbabwe; and what conditions the UK Government have set for recognising the outcome of the Zimbabwe presidential election relating to the action of the Government of Zimbabwe in ensuring a free and fair election. [18214]
§ Mr. BradshawWe continue to encourage the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by the undertakings they made at the Abuja meeting on 6 September, including restoration of the rule of law, an end to violence and intimidation and illegal land occupations. During these representations we regularly draw attention to the plight of farm workers. The British High Commission in Harare made a public statement condemning political violence following the recent politically motivated violence in Bulawayo.
We continue to encourage the Government of Zimbabwe to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections. The presidential election process will be raised as part of the EU consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. We are in regular dialogue with South African Development Community—SADC—countries on election observers and other issues related to Zimbabwe's electoral process. We are also discussing Zimbabwe's electoral process with Commonwealth partners. the US and others. The credibility of the presidential election will be questioned by the UK and the international community if the process is not demonstrably free and fair.