Dick Spring
Question:102 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will take a lead in the formulation of EU policy relating to Zimbabwe and call for sanctions against that country. [3853/02]
Vol. 547 No. 4
102 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will take a lead in the formulation of EU policy relating to Zimbabwe and call for sanctions against that country. [3853/02]
Ireland has taken a strong forward position in the formation of EU policy in relation to the actions of the Government of Zimbabwe which have involved human rights violations and the undermining of democracy in that country. On 11 January 2002, the EU and Zimbabwe met in Brussels for consultations to address the following five areas of concern previously set out by the General Affairs Council on 25 June 2001 – an end to political violence, an invitation to the EU to support and observe the presidential election on 9-10 March, and the need for a free and fair election, concrete action to protect the freedom of the mass media, independence of the judiciary, and an end to the illegal occupation of properties.
In particular, the EU asked for an immediate invitation to the EU to observe the presidential election, and for urgent action by Zimbabwe to permit full national and international media coverage of it. The Zimbabwean delegation, which included the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mudenge, expressed a willingness to go some way towards meeting the EU concerns, which Mr. Mudenge subsequently confirmed in writing. However, serious violations of human rights have continued to occur in the intervening period and little progress has been made in allowing access for international observers and the media.