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Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Volume 491: debated on Monday 27 April 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress towards (a) democratic reform and (b) human rights reform in Zimbabwe since the formation of the coalition government; and if he will make a statement. (270654)

We are encouraged by the new Government’s stated commitment to reform, such as the drafting of a new constitution, greater media freedom, respect for the rule of law and opening up democratic space. It is important that those commitments are implemented as soon as possible. We have seen little progress towards respect for human rights on the ground. Although political detainees have been released, they have been subject to extremely strict bail conditions. Some continue to be harassed by government officials. Violent farm seizures have escalated since the formation of the transitional government, despite the appointment by Prime Minister Tsvangirai of a ministerial team to investigate the abuses. In some cases, members of the police have been fully involved in targeting the farmers and their labourers.