Humanitarian and human rights situation in Zimbabwe

Early day motion 917, tabled 23 September 2020 by Margaret Ferrier (Scottish National Party). Signed by 10 members.

That this House is deeply concerned about the on-going humanitarian and human rights crisis in Zimbabwe, despite the fresh start promised by President Mnangagwa when he took office over two years ago after the end of former President Mugabe’s rule; notes with alarm that over half the population is dependent on food aid, as well as the virtual collapse of the health and education systems, and more general infrastructure; further notes with regret that fundamental rights are routinely being violated, with reportedly more than 70 Government critics having been abducted and tortured by men suspected to be state security agents in the last year, including MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe and activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, who are now incredibly being tried for faking their abduction and torture; urges the Zimbabwean Government to undertake meaningful political and economic reform, and particularly to investigate alleged serious human rights abuses and corrupt practice over the last two years and prosecute those responsible; and calls on the Government to continue providing vital humanitarian assistance to Zimbabweans on the basis of need, to support and protect Zimbabweans committed to democracy, rule of law and an equitable economic recovery, and to apply targeted sanctions on those responsible for the most serious human rights abuses.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 7, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Independent 1.