Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe on the attack on Professor Madhuku and other political activists; and whether she is taking steps to help support the protection of freedom of belief in Zimbabwe.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is aware of the assault on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and other National Constitutional Assembly activists. Freedom of expression is an essential quality of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. Embassy officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe on these issues as part of our regular engagement.