Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present human rights situation in Zimbabwe. [20944/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. I am particularly concerned by reports of continuing human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, torture of prisoners and abuse of the rule of law. Our Embassy to Zimbabwe, which is based in Pretoria, regularly raises our concerns over violations of human rights and the rule of law with the Zimbabwean authorities. It is regrettable that, notwithstanding the welcome improvements in the economic sphere in Zimbabwe since the formation of the unity government, the day-to-day lives of many Zimbabweans are filled with insecurity.

In terms of finding a way forward on these issues, Zimbabwe's neighbours have a critical role to play in encouraging reform, and can bring the greatest influence to bear in achieving progress in implementing the power sharing agreement, the Global Political Agreement (GPA). In that regard, Ireland with our EU partners welcomed the summit last November of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the guarantors of the GPA, which committed both parties in the unity government to enter talks on the full implementation of the GPA. That said, the lack of any real progress to date in those talks is worrying.

I am all the more concerned given the call this week by Prime Minister Tsvangirai for an emergency SADC summit to resolve outstanding issues in the talks and prevent Zimbabwe from sliding back into greater political and economic instability. The outstanding issues include the appointment as Deputy Minister for Agriculture of Roy Bennett, who, it is to be noted, was acquitted of arms related charges by a Zimbabwe court on 10 May; the re-appointment of Attorney General Johannes Tomana; the stalled installation of provincial governors; and the unilateral alteration of ministerial mandates. With our partners in the EU, we urge the parties involved to redouble their efforts to find solutions to these issues.

Regrettably, political dialogue between the EU and Zimbabwe has stalled. The EU has repeatedly stated its willingness to re-engage with the Zimbabwean Government. Re-engagement, however, remains conditional on a willingness to pursue in good faiththe agreed goals set out in the GPA. These include restoration of the rule of law, commitment to the democratic process and respect for human rights. We will continue to monitor the situation and press all members of the inclusive government to fulfil these obligations.

In the meantime, Ireland has worked closely with our EU partners in developing a consistent approach to Zimbabwe that benefits the people of Zimbabwe, while maintaining pressure on the Government to reform. In keeping with other international donors, we do not provide funding to the Zimbabwean Government but respond to the humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people through support for the work of multilateral and non-governmental organisations. In 2008, total funding allocated to Zimbabwe under the aid programme amounted to €10.82 million. In 2009, this figure was €5.63 million. I am not in a position at this stage to specify the total amount of funding which will be allocated for Zimbabwe during 2010. However, so far this year the Government has allocated €0.85 million for the humanitarian operations of a number of non-governmental organisations operating in Zimbabwe and a further €1.5 million to support HIV and AIDS programmes in the country.

It is vital for the future of Zimbabwe that the unity government delivers on the promise of reform, and secures for Zimbabwe's people real political freedoms, a return to the rule of law and economic development. Ireland will continue to work with our partners in the international community to encourage progress in these areas.