Paul Kehoe
Ceist:75 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the current political situation in Zimbabwe. [26813/03]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
The political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate and remains a cause of serious concern for Ireland and her EU partners. The decline in respect for human rights and the rule of law persists. Arbitrary arrests, political violence and intimidation continue, with scores of Zimbabweans arrested in October for protesting against worsening economic conditions. Inflation now stands at 455% and the World Food Programme, WFP, estimates that over 7.2 million Zimbabweans, over half the population, will require food aid this year.
On the issue of freedom of the press, the closure of the Daily News, Zimbabwe's independent newspaper, was condemned by the EU in September 2003. Following a successful appeal in the courts, the Daily News reopened and was immediately closed again by the Government. This is a matter of grave concern for the right of Zimbabweans to freedom of expression and association.
The political dialogue that was initiated between the EU and Zimbabwe to address on-going concerns was closed in February 2002 when it became clear that the Government of Zimbabwe was not willing to engage at any meaningful level. On 18 February 2003, the EU's common position on Zimbabwe noted the degradation of the political situation in that country. The common position renewed sanctions on those individuals whom the EU deemed most responsible for the violation of human rights. Also in February, the EU issued a declaration expressing its concern at detailed instances of arbitrary arrests and inhumane treatment of opposition members and civil society organisers and calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition.
However, the EU does not wish to isolate Zimbabwe for the sake of isolation and the EU has identified a number of benchmarks for the Government of Zimbabwe to meet which could lead to a normalisation of relations. Among the short-term benchmarks identified were an end to political intimidation and violence, the restoration of democratic values and respect for human rights. Medium-term measures to be undertaken by the Government of Zimbabwe include introducing a number of proposals to Parliament to redress current restrictions on freedom of expression and association.
The food crisis in Zimbabwe has been greatly exacerbated by the political instability and by the Zimbabwean Government's land reform policies. Ireland remains committed both bilaterally and through our membership of the EU, to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe. The EU has given over €294 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe over the 2002-3 period. This assistance is not going to the Government of Zimbabwe and is being implemented through the WFP, UNICEF, international non-governmental organisations and the Red Cross.
Ireland supports meaningful and substantive dialogue between the Government of Zimbabwe, opposition and civil society groups in an effort to come to a solution. In our forthcoming Presidency of the European Union, we will continue to urge the parties to engage constructively with each other.
Ireland condemns utterly the abuses being carried out by state forces and other groups affiliated to the governing party and the lack of accountability on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe in these matters. Notwithstanding this grave concern, we remain open to engagement in dialogue with the Government in Harare but only on the basis of the EU benchmarks established.