SRID Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 19
Wednesday, February 6, 2002
The Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Beth Phinney, presiding.
Members of the Sub-Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, Irwin Cotler, Antoine Dubé, Marlene Jennings, Beth Phinney, Svend Robinson.
Acting Member present: Keith Martin for Deepak Obhrai.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Lee, Gerald Schmitz, Research Officers.
Appearing: Denis Paradis, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa).
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Arthur C. Perron, Director General, Africa Branch; Marcia Burdette, Acting Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Division. From the Canadian International Development Agency: Bernice Vincent, Zimbabwe Program Manager, Southern Africa Program, Africa and the Middle East Branch; Geneviève Gasser, Analyst (Policy and Strategic Planning), Policies, Planning and Management, Africa and Middle East Branch.
Pursuant to the Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its examination of the situation of human rights in Zimbabwe. (See Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday, January 30, 2002).
The Secretary of State made an opening statement and with the witnesses answered questions.
At 16:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 16:57 p.m., the sitting was resumed.
Keith Martin 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.
And debate arose thereon.
On motion of Colleen Beaumier , it
was agreed, - That the debate be now adjourned.
It was agreed, --That unless there
is unanimous consent, forty-eight (48) hours notice must be given to the
members of the Sub-Committee before any new item of business is considered by
the Sub-Committee.
At 5:12 p.m., the
Sub-Committee proceeded to sit in camera.
At 5:12 p.m., the
Sub-Committee proceeded to the consideration of its future business.
At 5:32 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Elizabeth B. Kingston
Clerk of the Sub-Committee