Vol. 533 No. 2
4 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expressed to President Mugabe the Government's concern about the abuse of human and civil rights by his Government in Zimbabwe; if the Government is still providing assistance and development aid to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/01]
The continued instability in Zimbabwe remains a matter of deep concern to the Government. Over the past 12 months the situation has deteriorated significantly. The Government has made its views clear to the authorities in Zimbabwe through our Ambassador in South Africa, who is accredited to Harare, and through the European Union.
The June 2000 parliamentary elections were preceded by a period of violence and intimidation, including the widespread illegal occupation of farms. The elections were marred by serious accusations of misconduct. While tensions eased somewhat in the months following these elections, the situation remained volatile. There were several outbreaks of serious violence towards the end of 2000 and the further deterioration of Zimbabwe's economy continued to exacerbate existing social and political instability.
Regrettably, the situation has shown no sign of improvement in 2001. There have been a number of disturbing attacks on white farmers, including the murder of one farmer and his mother; intimidation of the press, including the forced expulsion of two foreign journalists; opposition figures continue to face harassment and intimidation and the independence of the country's judiciary has been dangerously undermined by a number of government interventions. These developments only serve to threaten the country's democratic credentials in the run up to next year's presidential elections.
Along 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. These concerns were most recently expressed on behalf of the EU by Com missioner Nielson at a meeting with President Mugabe in Brussels on 5 March.
We have urged the Zimbabwean 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 should 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.
On 26 February, the EU's General Affairs Council agreed to engage in an open and focused dialogue with the Zimbabwean authorities under the terms of the Cotonou Agreement. I strongly support this initiative. Through this comprehensive and balanced dialogue the EU hopes to be able to promote a stable democratic political environment in Zimbabwe and, thereby, also contribute to peace, security and stability in the country. We will ensure that our shared concerns regarding political violence, respect for democratic principles, freedom of expression and freedom of the press, land reform and the economy, are fully articulated during this dialogue.
Zimbabwe is not a designated priority country for Ireland Aid, although the country has received Irish support since 1980. Our activities in Zimbabwe are valued at £600,000 for 2001 and focus heavily on poverty alleviation through meeting basic needs such as the provision of clean water. Much of the programme is implemented by UNICEF. The promotion of respect for human rights and democracy has informed the Ireland Aid programme since its inception. Given that the programme as it stands addresses the basic needs of the severely impoverished majority population of Zimbabwe and that funds are not routed through central government, we intend to complete this current and final phase of the programme.
Ireland was a long standing supporter of the Zimbabwean independence movement. We, therefore, deeply regret the current instability in the country. The Government is determined to support all peaceful efforts to resolve these difficulties and to ensure that the democracy, which the people of Zimbabwe worked so hard to achieve, will develop and prosper.
I thank the Minister for his strong reiteration of my views that the violation of human and civil rights under the Mugabe's regime is a disgrace, given the support President Mugabe got over the years, particularly in the early years of Zimbabwe's independence.
What sanctions, if any, letters, or indications have been given to President Mugabe that the relationship he enjoys with the EU may not continue in that consideration will have to be given to withdrawing the ambassadors based in his country if he continues his programme of violation of human rights? In representing Ireland as a member of the Security Council, what efforts has the Minister made to have the issue of the violation of human and civil rights raised at a Security Council meeting? Could any action be taken on that front to stress to President Mugabe the world's disgust at what he is doing? Is the Minister aware that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, our former President, wrote three times to President Mugabe raising the issues of these violations and has not even had the courtesy of a reply? Why is the EU not more aggressive in its approach to President Mugabe to ensure he understands he will not be diplomatically feted and welcomed if this programme continues?
Since the violence emerged in preparation for the last presidential election and subsequent to that, the EU has had a strong position, which I outlined in the body of my reply. We are also engaged in trying to redress this situation. The interests of Zimbabwe and its people are not best served by simply adopting a condemnatory approach and then not engaging to ameliorate the worst aspects of how things are being done there. There is a need to engage to seek improvement. There is a dialogue in place and it has provided us with framework and a forum to address the issues about which the Deputy and I share concerns.
I also welcome and support the statement of 7 March of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, and we support the views she expressed in her statement. In all of those, a consistent approach has been adopted by us individually and as a member of the European Union where there is a common position.
I am not aware that the issue has arisen since our accession to a seat on the Security Council in the past ten weeks, but I will check on that and revert to the Deputy.
