Business of the House

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 11:34 am on 15 May 2008.

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Photo of Harriet Harman Harriet Harman Chair, Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, Minister of State (Government Equalities Office), The Leader of the House of Commons , Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee, Party Chair, Labour Party, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 11:34, 15 May 2008

I will try to refrain from making party political points in business questions. The problem is that I am severely provoked by the Opposition. I will try to heed the hon. Gentleman's words because he, at least, is consistent in raising business issues in business questions. Indeed, he is consistent in expressing concern about Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, torture seems to be on the increase, more people are being killed and there is displacement. The electoral commission has said that there should elections in August, but torture, killing and displacement are not a background for free and fair elections. There was an Adjournment debate two weeks ago on Zimbabwe, but the hon. Gentleman is right and, although we do not want to provide Mugabe with an opportunity to say that everybody should rally around him because it is all the fault of the British Government, we need to have a debate on the subject soon.

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mick angel
Posted on 16 May 2008 11:44 am (Report this annotation)

Ms Harman,

Is the torture you mention similar to that practised in the past by our "allies" in the war on terror: waterboarding, sleep deprivation, stress positions, and beatings?

Or is it a different type of torture which is somehow of the "bad" sort as it is done by someone we do not consider an ally.

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