SRID Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 22

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

The Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 3:42 p.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, the Chair, Beth Phinney, presiding.

Member(s) of the Sub-Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, Bill Casey, Irwin Cotler, Antoine Dubé, Deepak Obhrai, Beth Phinney.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: James Lee, Research Officer.

Pursuant to the Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to its study of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

The Sub-Committee proceeded to the consideration of the motion adopted February 27, 2002, which reads:

Strongly condemning Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe’s increasingly flagrant abuse of human rights, and his refusal to uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law with the approach of the Presidential election on 9-10 March, 2002;

Recognizing the attempt by the Commonwealth to encourage a change in these policies;

Considering the recent expulsion by the Mugabe regime of the European Union’s Chef de Mission, and the decision  of both the European Union and the United States to impose “targeted sanctions” on the Mugabe regime;

Noting that torrential rains in Zimbabwe have exacerbated problems with food supply and famine is now anticipated;

Noting that Non-Governmental Organizations in the field have underlined the need to maintain contact with the Government of Zimbabwe in order to assist in meeting humanitarian needs there;

Noting the work undertaken by Canadian NGO’s to help address the problems in Zimbabwe, including the twinning of Canadian and Zimbabwean legislators;

The Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development recommends that the Government of Canada consider immediately sending additional independent Canadian election observers to Zimbabwe if conditions permit, and insist on the presence of an adequate number of inspectors. The government should also grant humanitarian aid to NGOs recognized by Canada and currently working in Zimbabwe in order to help them cope with the anticipated humanitarian crisis.

Should the upcoming interim report of the Commonwealth election observers not reflect no sufficient positive change, however, the Sub-Committee recommends that the Government of Canada then:

1)      Call for the immediate suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth;

2)      Urge the Commonwealth and other nations to prevent Mr. Mugabe and senior members of his regime from visiting their countries, and take other measures, such as the freezing of assets of Mr. Mugabe and 19 identified members of his leadership;

3)      Continue the current Canadian policy of not selling any military goods to Zimbabwe, and encourage the Commonwealth and the international community to impose an arms embargo on that country;

4)      Encourage the international community to take appropriate action against Zimbabwe, including through the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;

5)      Continue to work with regional allies to address the immediate humanitarian needs of Zimbabweans.

It was agreed, - That the motion be amended by striking out in paragraph 1 the word “increasingly”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out, in paragraph one, the words “with the approach of” and by substituting the following therefore: “before, during and after”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out in paragraph two the words “recognizing the”, and by substituting the following therefor: “Recalling the”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out in paragraph three the words “considering the recent expulsion by the Mugabe regime of the European Union’s chef de Mission, and” and by substituting the following therefor: “recalling”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by adding the following:

Noting the report of the Commonwealth Observers Group to the Zimbabwean Presidential election, including its conclusion that “the conditions in Zimbabwe did not adequately allow for a free expression of will by the electors;”

Applauding the decision as a result to suspend Zimbabwe from the councils of the commonwealth for one year;

Acknowledging the need to encourage national reconciliation in Zimbabwe;

Applauding the Government of Canada’s decision to freeze project funding, suspend export funding and prevent Mr. Mugabe and senior associates from visiting Canada;

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out in former paragraph 7 the words “consider sending additional independent Canadian election observers in Zimbabwe if conditions permit, and insist on the presence of an adequate number of inspectors.  The government should also” and by substituting the following therefor: “continuing to grant”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out in former paragraph 8 the words “should the upcoming interim report of the Commonwealth election observers not reflect subsequent positive change, however, the Sub-Committee recommends that “the Government of Canada then “and by substituting the following therefor: “The Government of Canada should also”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out former paragraph 9 which reads: “call for immediate suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth; and by substituting the following therefor:

1) Argue that Zimbabwe not be invited to the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Manchester from July 25 through August 4, 2002;

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by striking out in former paragraph 10 the words “the freezing of assets”, and by substituting the following therefor: “freezing of the assets”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by adding in former paragraph 10, after the word “his leadership” the following:“ and encouraging other countries to do the same”.

It was agreed, - That the motion be further amended by adding in former paragraph 12 before the words “encourage the international community”, the following: “As with its support for a European Union sponsored initiative at the 58^th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights”.

The question being put on the main motion, as amended, it was agreed to.

At 4:10 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Sub-Committee proceeded to consideration of its study of human rights, development and other matters in Columbia.

The Sub-Committee proceeded to consideration of its draft report.

At 4:46 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Elizabeth Kingston

Clerk of the Sub-Committee