Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this discussion and to give my full support to this Government motion. On 21 February 2005 the European Council adopted a common position renewing the restrictive measures against Zimbabwe. This means that the extension of sanctions against Zimbabwe will be continued until February 2006 when they will again be reviewed in light of the parliamentary elections due to be held at the end of this month. The sanctions against Zimbabwe were put in place in February 2002 for 12 months. They were renewed in February 2003 and 2004 because the Zimbabwean Government continued to violate the partnership agreement. Conditions in Zimbabwe did not ensure respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. The European Council now states that since February 2004, there has been no progress on these issues with no commitments from the Zimbabwean Government to remedy the situation.

According to various sources, the situation in Zimbabwe is dreadful. The Zimbabwean Government continues its campaign of repression with the aim of eliminating all political opposition and silencing those who criticise the regime. Hundreds of people have been arrested simply for participating in peaceful protest. Torture and assault are routine. A journalist who secretly crossed the Zimbabwean border recently reported in The New York Times yesterday that villagers told him that bad as it was when the white supremacists were in power under Ian Smith, who looked down on them as if they were inferior and beneath them, at least they had food and could eat meat. Now under the current government all they have to eat is gruel, and not much of that. Not only are basic human rights denied to people on a massive scale, the people are hungry.

I agree with what the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, said earlier. It is important that the Oireachtas expresses its grave concern about the situation in Zimbabwe. Yesterday, the Joint Committee on European Affairs agreed a statement which expressed its concern about the human rights situation. It also expressed support for the Government with regard to the case of Roy Bennett, an opposition member of the Zimbabwean Parliament who has been imprisoned in Zimbabwe. The joint committee urges the Zimbabwean Government to take action to bring about an end to politically motivated violence and ensure the freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary.

With regard to the case of Roy Bennett MP, who has stood up for human rights and the rule of law and whose family has been harassed and tortured while he is held under terrible conditions in prison, I commend the efforts of the Government and the European Union in trying to secure his release.

According to Amnesty International, one of the most sinister twists in the campaign to suppress the opposition has been the non-violent abuse of rights. That sounds like it might mean progress. However, as the delegation from Amnesty International that visited Zimbabwe last month was repeatedly told, the ruling party no longer needs to engage in violence. The people know from their experience of the past four years what the regime is capable of.

Deputy Allen spoke about the low turnout in the recent by-elections in North Kildare and Meath. Perhaps we have become too complacent, but at least when canvassers were going from door to door in Meath and North Kildare, all they had to contend with were questions from the electorate. In Zimbabwe, however, members of the MDC are arrested when canvassing from door to door. They are only detained for a short period and then released. The outcome is to hamper all efforts at campaigning in a sinister and pervasive manner. The secrecy of the ballot is also undermined. Many, especially those in rural areas, have been convinced that their vote will not be secret and that there will be retribution for those who vote for the opposition.

Violence against women continues to be a major concern, with assault and rape used by security forces and the ZANU-PF youth. Youth training camps have been set up to indoctrinate large numbers of young people. Many people are brutalised in these camps and there are reports of the use of rape and drugs. In violent situations women often hold families, communities and neighbourhoods together. By increasing the levels of violence against women, the government does not just threaten individual women, dreadful though that is, but threatens the fabric of the community.

With just a week to go to the Zimbabwean elections, we must maintain a strong international focus on trying to ensure fair elections. As Deputy Howlin said, we are at least sending a message of solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe that we are their allies. I hope they know this. I wholeheartedly commend this motion.

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