§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in Zimbabwe. [106863]
§ Mr. RammellPolitically motivated violence in Zimbabwe has increased, predominately against opposition supporters. The MDC organised a successful stayaway on 18 and 19 March. Following the stayaway there were over 500 arrests and over 250 people required hospital treatment. We joined our EU partners in condemning the violence and called on the Government to ensure that by-elections in two Harare constituencies on 29 and 30 March were free and fair. Despite violence and intimidation ahead of these elections, the MDC retained both seats.
We welcome the Southern African Development Community's recent decision to send a task force to Zimbabwe to investigate human rights abuses and state repression. The Zimbabwean Government needs to end violence, intimidation, and the arrest of key opposition figures; and to work with the opposition and civil society to address Zimbabwe's political, humanitarian and economic crisis.
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