Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of (1) the economic and (2) the political, situation in Zimbabwe.

The UK is deeply worried about the state of the Zimbabwean economy, which continues to face unprecedented challenges largely due to poor fiscal policies and mismanagement by the Government. Corruption continues to hamper Zimbabwe's development by capturing public and private resources, distorting economic-decision making and undermining governance and accountability. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to make the comprehensive and difficult reforms needed to address Zimbabwe's economic challenges.

We are equally concerned by the political and human rights situation. Zimbabwe remains one of the UK's 30 human rights priority countries globally. We have been clear that the Government of Zimbabwe must meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and committing to genuine political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. The Minister for Africa delivered these messages when he spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter he wrote to the Foreign Minister on 12 August. Our Ambassador in Harare reinforced these messages when she met Foreign Minister Moyo on 3 December.