§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what unilateral sanctions are in force by the United Kingdom against Zimbabwe that match(a) the recent Executive Order signed by the President of the United States under the title of 'Blocking Property of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe' and (b) EU sanctions against Zimbabwe. [105837]
§ Mr. StrawPresident Bush's Executive Order of 7 March 2003 provides for an assets freeze, and so brings the United States measures against the ZANU-PF regime into line with those of the EU, which we implemented on 18 February 2002, and which were extended for another 12 months on 18 February 2003.
The United Kingdom, as a member state of the European Union, does not need unilateral measures to replicate those of the EU, which it supports and implements.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend at the next Geneva Affairs Council meeting that Mr. Ari Ben-Menashe be added to the list of names on the EU sanctions list against the Zimbabwe regime and its supporters. [105838]
§ Mr. StrawThe EU's common position on Zimbabwe targets individuals
who are engaged in activities that seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe".Only Zimbabweans have so far been subjected to the measures, but the list of names is kept under regular review.
Mr. Ben-Menashe, a Canadian national, is the state's main witness in the on-going treason trial of MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. The EU said on 20 February 2003,
The European Union is following closely the legal procedures in the trial of the head of the main opposition party, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, being fully aware of the relevance and the importance of the outcome for the future of democratic pluralism in this country".