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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 20

Wednesday, February 20, 2002

The Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:40 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Beth Phinney, presiding.

Member(s) of the Sub-Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, Antoine Dubé, Marlene Jennings, Beth Phinney.

Other(s) Member(s) present: Jean Augustine for Sarkis Assadourian.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: James Lee.

Witness(es): From Amnesty International (Canada): Keith Rimstad, Regional Program Coordinator. From Oxfam Canada: Reiky Stuart, Executive Director; Jim MacKinnon, Program Officer, Southern Africa.

Pursuant to the Standing Order 108(2), situation of human rights in Zimbabwe (See Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday, January 30, 2002).

Keith Rimstad and Jim MacKinnon each made an opening statement and, with the witness, answered questions.

At 4:46 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:52 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Marlene Jennings moved, --That whereas, the Sub-committee on Human Rights and International Development condemns Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe’s brutalisation of his people, and his refusal to uphold the rule of law;

And whereas, the Sub-Committee recognizes the work done by the international community to diffuse the situation in Zimbabwe and recognizes the failure of the international community to diffuse the tragic situation in that country.

Therefore, the Sub-Committee recommends that the international community:

1) Suspend Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth;

2) Ban all international travel by Mr. Mugabe and members of his government;

3) Freeze the personal assets of Mr. Mugabe and his officials;

4) Impose an arms embargo on Zimbabwe;

Furthermore this Sub-Committee recommends that the government of Canada immediately recall our High Commissioner to Zimbabwe and dismiss Zimbabwe’s High Commissioner to Canada.

The question being put on motion, it was negatived.

At 5:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Elizabeth B. Kingston

Clerk of the Sub-Committee