Zimbabwe up for debate in the UK again | The Insider

Zimbabwe was up for debate again in the United Kingdom yesterday, this time in the House of Commons, at the same time that President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed concern about Britain’s unfair and open interference in its domestic affairs.

Mnangagwa’s remarks come after Zimbabwe came up for debate Upper House Last week and a junior minister said Britain was working with teacher unions over wages and human rights violations.

Yesterday the topic was Human Rights and Political Repression.

Here’s what happened:

Ruth Jones Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): (a) the continuing detention of opposition politician Makomborero Haruziwishe and (b) political repression in Zimbabwe over what he has represented to the government of Zimbabwe.

Vicky Ford Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office): We are concerned about the political and human rights situation in Zimbabwe and our Embassy is in contact with Mr. Haruzivish’s lawyers regarding his appeal. We regularly urge the government to ensure that the opposition, civil society and journalists can function without harassment. I reinforced these messages to President Mnangagwa at COP26 on November 1. The UK will continue to support the Zimbabwean people and help Zimbabweans secure their constitutional freedoms.

Ruth Jones Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): I thank the minister for his reply, but overnight we saw reports of opposition supporters losing their lives at the hands of officials in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and it can and should play a major role in Southern Africa, so can the Minister explain what they have discussed with the African Union and the Southern African Development Community regarding political repression in that country? ?

Vicky Ford Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office): We are deeply concerned about the state of civil rights and the reports of the recent death of Nyasha Jhambe Mwere, an opposition MDC Alliance supporter, on 26 November. We urge the government to continuously investigate and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Our sanctions designations take into account individuals we hold responsible for human rights violations, and include those responsible for the deaths of protesters in August 2018 and January 2019. Those restrictive measures are not targeted or intended to have a broader impact. economy or people of Zimbabwe; Those who commit these atrocities are targeted.

(146 Views)