Paul Connaughton
Question:29 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the political situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30026/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2004
Questions (43, 44)
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in regard to democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30685/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 143 together.
The political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate and remains a cause of serious concern for Ireland and our EU partners. The decline in respect for human rights and the rule of law persists. Arbitrary arrests and political violence continue. Inflation now stands at over 600% and it is likely that a substantial proportion of the Zimbabwean population will require food aid in the coming months, notwithstanding the predictions of the Zimbabwe Grain Marketing Board, GMB, and the decision on the part of the Zimbabwean Government not to request international general food aid.
A particularly worrying development in recent months has been the decision of the Zimbabwean Government to introduce new legislation to govern the operation of non-governmental organisations, NGOs. This repressive legislation, which is currently going through the Zimbabwean Parliament, will impose severe restrictions on the operation of NGOs, particularly those in the human rights and humanitarian fields, by requiring them to register formally with the Zimbabwean Government and prohibiting any foreign assistance to NGOs concerned with human rights. The European Union has made known its concerns about the new NGO Bill and has formally raised the issue with SADC, the South African Development Community, of which Zimbabwe is a member. The Government will be asking our ambassador to Zimbabwe to make clear to the Zimbabwean authorities Ireland's concerns over the possible implications of this new legislation on humanitarian organisations operating in Zimbabwe.
The political dialogue initiated between the EU and Zimbabwe to address ongoing concerns was closed in February 2002 when it became clear that the Government of Zimbabwe was not willing to engage on any meaningful level. The lack of progress by the Government of Zimbabwe on these issues is reflected in the EU's common position on Zimbabwe, which was renewed in February 2004. 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 exclusively against the political elite and include a travel ban and assets freeze, as well as an arms embargo.
Attention in Zimbabwe is increasingly focusing on the parliamentary elections which are scheduled to be held in March 2005. The Zimbabwean Government has publicly committed itself to abide by the principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, which were adopted by the SADC Summit in Mauritius on 17 August 2004. The Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, has endorsed these principles as the basis for free and fair elections next March. So far, however, the level of political reforms signalled by the Zimbabwean Government does not in any way match up to what will be required if it is to comply fully with the SADC guidelines. This has resulted in a decision by the MDC last August announcing that it will not participate in any elections which are held outside the provisions of the SADC framework. The European Union will continue to press for and encourage full compliance by the Zimbabwean Government with the SADC principles so that free and fair elections can take place next March.
One encouraging development which could help to improve the political environment in the run up to the parliamentary elections next March was the acquittal of the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, on charges of treason by the Zimbabwean high court on 15 October. The EU issued a declaration welcoming this development and remains supportive of all efforts aimed at mediating and encouraging a resumption of direct political dialogue between President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the MDC.
Ireland and our EU partners have continued to take the lead in drawing attention to the serious human rights situation in Zimbabwe. The EU has tabled a resolution at the current session of the UN General Assembly which underlines its deep concern at serious human rights violations by the Zimbabwean Government, including torture, unlawful detention and extra-judicial executions, and urging the Government to take all necessary measures to safeguard and protect human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. The resolution also urges the Zimbabwean Government to make all the necessary legislative changes to enable free and fair elections, in full accordance with the SADC guidelines, to take place.