Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Zimbabwean counterpart on that country's obligations under international human rights and international law in relation to the treatment of independent Trades Unions.

I summoned the Zimbabwean Ambassador on 17 January to highlight our concern at the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe.

I call on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure its security forces act professionally, proportionately and at all times with respect for human life and constitutional rights. We further call on the Government of Zimbabwe to investigate all allegations of human rights violations and abuses. We also urge the reinstatement of full internet access, consistent with citizens' constitutional right to freedom of expression.