Britain raises concerns about political violence in Zimbabwe

Britain has raised concerns about political violence in Zimbabwe and remains committed to supporting aspirations of the Zimbabwean people to a more peaceful, democratic, stable and prosperous Zimbabwe, free from political violence and repression.

This was said on Thursday by Minister of State Baroness Anelay of St Johns in response to a question from Lord Oates in Britains’ House of Lords.

She said there had been reports of political violence directed against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as well as between factions of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.

“Our Ambassador in Harare raised our concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe on 1 December. The UK remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for a more peaceful, democratic, stable and prosperous Zimbabwe, free from political violence and repression,” she said.

Q & A:

Lord Oates Liberal Democrat- To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Zimbabwe about political violence and the political impartiality of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in dealing with this violence.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns Minister of State- I refer the noble Lord to the response given in the other place by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), to the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Mr Benn) on 27 October 2015 [12945], summarising our assessment of the political situation. There have been reports of political violence, directed against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as well as between factions of the governing Zimbabwe African National Union party in recent months. Our Ambassador in Harare raised our concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe on 1 December. The UK remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for a more peaceful, democratic, stable and prosperous Zimbabwe, free from political violence and repression.

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