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<p>I refer to the statement made by the Minister for Africa to the House on 3 September,
Official report, volume 664, column 11. The UK is seriously concerned about the increasing
numbers of abductions, arrests and assault of civil society, trade union and opposition
activists and the banning of protests in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe remains one of the UK’s
30 Human Rights Priority Countries globally. The UK Ambassador met the Zimbabwean
Foreign Minister on 18 October and discussed the economic crisis and political situation
in Zimbabwe, reinforcing the need for comprehensive political and economic reform
and the protection of the poorest.</p><p>The UK is providing £128 million of aid to
Zimbabwe in 2019/20 focusing on poverty reduction, humanitarian assistance and standing
up for human rights and the rule of law. No money is channelled directly through the
government. After the United Nations Flash Appeal, DFID has committed £49 million
through a new Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (ZHARP) to support people
who do not have access to the food they need.</p>
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