Mr. David Aaron
Correspondent
Canadian Section
International Commission of Jurists
902-50 O'Connor Street
Ottawa. Ontario
KIP 6L2

Dear Mr. Aaron:

Thank you for your letter of April 9, 2003, with which you enclosed a copy of a letter addressed to President Mugabe by the Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists, Ms. Louise Doswald-Beck, concerning the mistreatment of a lawyer representing a Daily News photographer arrested in Harare while covering street protests. I regret the delay in replying to you.

The Canadian government shares your concern about the increasingly undemocratic behaviour of the Government of Zimbabwe and has objected to human rights violations.

Ms. Moyo's detention and the assault against her are indicative of the continuing lack of respect for the rule of'law, democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. I understand that she has filed a civil suit againSt two of'her assailants. The suit has not yet been concluded.

In this case. and in similar cases of abuse of human rights and civil hcenies, Canada has taken a Strong stand. As indicated in my earlier reply, Prime Minister Chretien publicly voiced his concern about the presidential elections in Zimbabwe in a statement issued on March 19.2002. We have withdrawn all funding to the Zimbabwean government, and senior government representatives are not welcome in Canada.

In trying to find the most expeditious path to a full restoration of democracy in Zimbabwe. Canada has worked within international organizations, primarily the Commonwealth. in the hope that concerted multilateral action may hold sway with Mr. Mugabe and his government. We fully supported Commonwealth measures to address the situation and welcomed the March 2002 conclusion of the Commonwealth Troika that Zimbabwe should be suspended for one year.

Having seen no evidence of movement on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe toward a restoration of the Harare Principles of good governance, we welcome the effol1s of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to fmd a compromise allowing the suspension of Zimbabwe to stand until the Commonwealth Heads of Govennnent Meeting (CHOGM) in December 2003. During a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKimlon on April 30. 2003. I reiterated my support for Zimbabwe's continued suspension.

At this year's United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada co-sponsored a resolution condemning the ongoing human rights violations in Zimbabwe. We also took this opportunity to speak out for the need for free and fair elections and respect for the rule of law in Zimbabwe. We will continue to push for positive change on human rights issues in Zimbabwe in this forum and other appropriate fora.

Our actions are not limited to multilateral channels. In March 2003, officials from the Canadian High Commission made a formal demarche to protest acts of violence and intimidation against the opposition. More broadly, we work to assist civil society organizations and provide suppon to opposition voices. Mission staff monitor political rallies and speak regularly with representatives of the Movement for Democratic Chang~ the National Constitutional Assembly, and civil society organisations. One officer recently visited with victims of political violence at a Harare hospital, and several visited polling Stations and constituency offices during the recent by-elections. Through CIDA, Canada also continues to provide financial support to various groups, including women writers and the Legal ResoW'Ces Foundation.

Canada also continues to provide funding to many civil society organizations to address HIV / AIDS and hwnanitarian needs. This assiStance is disbursed where we are assured that food can be distnouted to populations on a non-partisan basis. Since the beginning of2002, the Canadian International Development Agency has contributed more than $55 million to relief effons in Southern Africa. including Zimbabwe.

I can assure you that the Government of Canada will continue to do all it can, in all appropriate fora. to promote a return to democracy in Zimbabwe. Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,
Bill Graham