Gay Mitchell
Question:205 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the concerns set out by Trócaire in its document, The Zimbabwean Struggle: Obstacles to Democracy. [17607/04]
View answerTuesday, 15 June 2004
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Trócaire's document, The Zimbabwean Struggle: Obstacles to Democracy, is a welcome addition to the debate on Zimbabwe. Central to this report are recommendations for the EU to condemn draconian legislation in Zimbabwe, for intensive engagement with Zimbabwe's southern African neighbours and for continued humanitarian aid.
The EU has continually expressed its serious concern at the deteriorating political and human rights in Zimbabwe. A major priority of Ireland's EU Presidency has been the promotion of African issues on the EU agenda, which includes a concentration on the current Zimbabwean crisis. In February 2004 the EU's Common Position on Zimbabwe noted the worsening human rights environment in that country. Faced with this scenario, the Council renewed sanctions on those individuals whom the EU regards as bearing the main responsibility for serious violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The sanctions are targeted against the political elite and include a travel ban and an assets freeze, as well as an arms embargo.
The Council also expressed its deep concern at legislation in Zimbabwe, which seriously infringes citizens' right to freedom of association and assembly, namely the Public Order and Security Act, POSA. Concern was similarly expressed regarding the application and provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, AIPPA, which denies freedom of expression and restricts freedom of the press. The Council also deplored the consistent undermining of the independence of the judiciary by the Government of Zimbabwe.
With regard to intensive pressure on neighbouring countries in southern Africa, this is a policy that has been pursued vigorously by the EU and by Ireland in its bilateral relations. The EU raised its profound concerns regarding Zimbabwe at both the EU-Africa and the EU-South Africa ministerial Troika meetings in Dublin on 1 and 2 April of this year. I also raised the Zimbabwe issue bilaterally in my meetings with President Chissano of Mozambique, current chair of the African Union, and President Mbeki of South Africa last November. The Irish Presidency arranged for the EU's Common Position on Zimbabwe to be formally communicated to all members of the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC. We also reiterated our willingness to engage with the Government of Zimbabwe on the basis of an established set of governance centred benchmarks.
The EU is strongly committed to the welfare of the Zimbabwean people, as evidenced by its donation of €294 million of humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Zimbabwe over the 2002-03 period. Development Co-operation Ireland, DCI, has also made €8 million in emergency and humanitarian assistance available for the affected countries in southern Africa, of which €3 million went directly to Zimbabwe. In 2003 DCI also provided funding of more than €2 million to five development projects in Zimbabwe. All of this aid is channelled through the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the Red Cross and other international NGOs.