To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent reports they have received concerning human rights in Zimbabwe.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, including the increase in violent farm invasions, with credible reports of police being complicit. Although the approximately 70 political detainees who were in custody when the inclusive government was formed have been released, they are under strict bail conditions and there are reports of continued state harassment. We will continue to monitor the human rights situation closely and to put pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe to honour their commitments to improve respect for human rights and the rule of law.