| Non-recognition of Mugabe |
| The issue: |
04-07-2008
Dear Sir George
I write as one of your constituents, to ask you to urge The House immediately to issue a public statement of non-recognition of Mugabe's regime, and strongly to push other governments to do the same.
The best way forward is talks between the MDC and ZANU PF. We must keep the pressure up to make sure that the conditions for dialogue are genuine and that the March 29th results are the basis for negotiations. Please don't stand by until it is too late. Make a statement now!
Yours sincerely,
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| Date Issue Raised: |
04 Jul 2008 |
| My response: |
Thank you for your email dated July 4th about Zimbabwe.
I am appalled by the situation in Zimbabwe. The elections have been neither free nor fair; the widespread persecution of the opposition and the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation are of grave concern.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has condemned the election in Zimbabwe, saying, “Robert Mugabe has stolen the election and with blood on his hands declared victory.” I agree with my colleague that Zimbabwe now has, “a criminal government,” which should be treated as such.
Conservatives have proposed five things the British Government needs to do immediately to address the situation:
- At the G8 summit, urge all states to refuse to recognise the legitimacy of Mugabe’s regime.
- Call on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) countries not to recognise the legitimacy of the regime.
- At the European Union (EU), call for wider EU sanctions on Mugabe's regime members.
- At the United Nations (UN), call for a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
- Urge British businesses and individuals not to make any investments that prop up Mugabe's regime.
It is clear that Robert Mugabe can not rule for ever. As well as maintaining pressure on his regime through targeted EU sanctions and tough diplomacy, the international community must prepare for change to help Zimbabwe’s difficult transition from authoritarian rule.
Conservatives have urged the international community to prepare for the day after Mugabe by proposing a series of practical steps:
- Develop a clear package of assistance based on the World Bank and the UN assessment of the country's needs in the post-Mugabe era.
- Prepare to call a donor conference hosted jointly by the African Union and the European Union, and set up a Contact Group.
- Support a thorough reform of the security sector.
- Take urgent steps to promote economic recovery starting at the most fundamental level by ensuring protection, food and shelter for internally displaced people, restoring livelihoods and basic infrastructure and institution-building.
- As a contingency measure be ready for an international observer mission or ‘over the horizon’ humanitarian force under the auspices of the African Union.
Zimbabwe used to be among sub-Saharan Africa’s most prosperous and promising states. To recover, it will need sustained multilateral help from its neighbours, international organisations and its friends.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe very closely, and take every opportunity to press the Government to do everything in its powers to help Zimbabweans oppressed by Mugabe.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.
Best wishes, George Young
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Sir George Young Bt MP: Constituency and Parliamentary Website 