HC Deb 02 March 2004 vol 418 cc827-8W
17. Kate Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on sanctions against Zimbabwe. [157429]

Mr. Mullin

Our policy, and that of our EU partners, is to use targeted measures against Zimbabwe's leadership as a means of pressing it to return to democratic governance which respects human rights and the rule of law. We do not support economic or trade sanctions, as these would have a negative impact on all Zimbabweans. The EU measures are targeted on the ZANU(PF) leadership and on those who are responsible for human rights abuses and do not impact on ordinary Zimbabweans. On 19 February the EU agreed, by consensus, to continue with the targeted measures for another year and to extend from 79 to 95 the number of people on the travel ban and assets freeze.

Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Commonwealth governments about tightening sanctions against members of the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. [157016]

Mr. Mullin

There are no Commonwealth sanctions on Zimbabwe. The Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe from its Councils in 2002. Commonwealth Heads of Government decided to continue the suspension when they met in Nigeria in December 2003. Following that decision Mugabe decided to withdraw Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth. The EU does have targeted measures against Zimbabwe consisting of a travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo. On 19 February the EU decided to continue these measures for another year and to extend by 16 the number of people on the travel ban and assets freeze. The measures are now targeted on 95 people.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to assist in the restoration of freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. [157420]

Mr. Straw

The Government are providing practical and political support to civil society, human rights organisations and all those in Zimbabwe who want to see an early return to a democratically accountable government which respects human rights and the rule of law.

We are providing humanitarian assistance to millions of Zimbabwean people on the basis of need.

We are encouraging the South African government, and others in the region, to push for a return to democracy and freedom.

We have been a consistent advocate of a robust international approach. In December, we argued successfully to maintain Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth. Mugabe has since withdrawn from the Commonwealth, demonstrating that he is now incapable of meeting the Harare principles which he helped to establish.

This week, the EU extended sanctions against the Mugabe regime, rightly standing with the people of Zimbabwe, and against those responsible—Mugabe and his government—for bringing a once prosperous and successful state to the edge of total collapse. The number of those caught by the sanctions now rises from 79 to 95. Those we have added to the list include several individuals who bear particular responsibility for the abuses of human rights in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's opposition party welcomed this move, saying it was "a clear indication that the international community will not fold its arms while the regime in Zimbabwe continues to trample upon people's basic human rights".