Pat Rabbitte
Question:60 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view of the continuing serious situation regarding human rights in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12937/01]
Written Answers - Human Rights Abuses.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:109 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he has made at international level through the UN or EU to positively influence the situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13288/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 109 together.
In a reply to this House on 22 March, I outlined the Government's view on developments in Zimbabwe over the previous 12 months and the actions we have taken to make our serious concerns known to the Zimbabwean authorities.
I regret that there has been no improvement in the situation since then. A report on Zimbabwe was published by the International Bar Association on 23 April. It presented a disturbing picture of a Government and legal system that is patently failing to protect the basic human rights of its citizens and guarantee the rule of law. Similar concerns were expressed by the Zimbabwean Catholic hierarchy in a statement issued on 1 May.
Freedom of the press continues to be seriously eroded and the independence of the judiciary remains under threat from numerous Government interventions. I am particularly concerned at the continued harassment and intimidation of leading opposition figures, including the leader of the Movement of Democratic Change. These attacks are clearly aimed at depriving the people of Zimbabwe of meaningful presidential elections in 2002. Recent reports of threats to embassies and foreign companies and the continued failure of the Government to reach a satisfactory solution to the issue of land reform are also causes for concern.
With our EU partners, we have consistently called on President Mugabe to put an end to the violence and intimidation, and to ensure full respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law. We have urged the Government to establish a constructive dialogue with the opposition and have stressed the importance of guaranteeing all parties their democratic right to operate freely. It is essential that the right of the people of Zimbabwe to express their views openly and without fear of violence be respected. I also firmly believe that bipartisan co-operation and respect for democratic principles are essential if the serious economic and social difficulties facing the country are to be overcome.
The EU has embarked on a dialogue with Zimbabwe aimed at creating a stable democratic political environment and thereby contributing to the full protection of human rights. Progress at this dialogue has been slower to date than we would have liked. However, we are determined that our concerns regarding political violence, respect for democratic principles, freedom of expression and freedom of the press will continue to be fully articulated during this dialogue and elsewhere.