§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister what action he intends to take to address the political problems in Zimbabwe. [106919]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government want to see a democratically elected government in Zimbabwe following sound policies for the benefit of the people. We are deeply concerned at the recent violence in Zimbabwe.
The Government have played a significant role in ensuring that the European Union have taken a strong position on Zimbabwe. This includes renewing measures targeted at the ZANU-PF elite—travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo—and the suspension of non-humanitarian aid. The EU has most recently expressed its concern about human rights in Zimbabwe by issuing a strong statement on 28 March. The EU is sponsoring a resolution on Zimbabwe at theUN Commission on Human Rights, which is currently taking place in Geneva.
The Government also support the Commonwealth Secretary General's decision to continue Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth's Councils, pending discussion at CHOGM in December. We are in close touch with the regional states to encourage them to use their own influence on Zimbabwe. My Noble Friend, Baroness Amos reaffirmed the importance of this in a speech in Pretoria on 31 March.