Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Zimbabwe about (1) the release, or (2) the trial, of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The UK is deeply concerned by the recently reported rearrests of Joanna Mamombe MP, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. We also understand that Ms Mamombe and Ms Chimbiri's applications for bail have been denied. When the Minister for Africa wrote to late Foreign Minister Moyo on 12 August 2020, following a telephone call with him on 8 June 2020, he raised specific human rights concerns, including the treatment of Ms Mamombe, Ms Chimbiri, and Ms Marowa. Our Ambassador in Harare reinforced these messages when she met representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2020. On 5 February, the Minister for Africa tweeted urging authorities to focus on investigating the women's claims.

The UK will continue to monitor developments in the case of Ms Mamombe, Ms Chimbiri, and Ms Marova closely and continue to call on the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law. This includes respecting the Zimbabwean Constitution which clearly prohibits enforced disappearances, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. We admire the bravery of civil society activists in Zimbabwe who aspire to a better future for Zimbabwe.