Menu
12/05/2003
Straw hits out at Zimbabwe
The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, today wrote to Michael Ancram MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, on Zimbabwe. Responding to Mr Ancram's letters of 7 and 8 May, Jack Straw wrote: "On 7 May you asked about an alleged invitation for Robert Mugabe to attend the
G8 Summit in Evian. No such invitation has issued, nor I am told has one been discussed or even thought of.
"On 8 May you asked about Interpol's decision to appoint Police Chief Chihuri
as its Vice President The facts of the case are these. Chihuri was first
elected to the Executive Committee of Interpol in 1996. He was re-elected in
1999 and his second term ended in 2002. His appointment to the honorary
position of Vice President was made by Interpol's existing Executive Committee in March 2003. There is no British representation on this committee, and we were not involved in the appointment.
However, I believe that the decision to reward Chihuri in this way was wrong.
Had we been asked we would have said so. It is an insult to the people who
have suffered at the hands of the Zimbabwean police and other state security
apparatus in that country. The UK continues to protest at the violations of
human rights there and we were at the forefront of preparing the resolution on Zimbabwe at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights. This resolution
condemned the climate of impunity, incidents of arbitrary arrest and violations of key freedoms, and called upon the government of Zimbabwe to put an end to impunity and to fulfil its responsibility to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice."
G8 Summit in Evian. No such invitation has issued, nor I am told has one been discussed or even thought of.
"On 8 May you asked about Interpol's decision to appoint Police Chief Chihuri
as its Vice President The facts of the case are these. Chihuri was first
elected to the Executive Committee of Interpol in 1996. He was re-elected in
1999 and his second term ended in 2002. His appointment to the honorary
position of Vice President was made by Interpol's existing Executive Committee in March 2003. There is no British representation on this committee, and we were not involved in the appointment.
However, I believe that the decision to reward Chihuri in this way was wrong.
Had we been asked we would have said so. It is an insult to the people who
have suffered at the hands of the Zimbabwean police and other state security
apparatus in that country. The UK continues to protest at the violations of
human rights there and we were at the forefront of preparing the resolution on Zimbabwe at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights. This resolution
condemned the climate of impunity, incidents of arbitrary arrest and violations of key freedoms, and called upon the government of Zimbabwe to put an end to impunity and to fulfil its responsibility to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice."
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 October 2005
Zimbabwean wins asylum appeal
The government’s policy on deportation to Zimbabwe has been thrown into doubt, after a failed asylum seeker from the country won his appeal. The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled that the man, who cannot be named, would be at risk of harm if he was returned to President Robert Mugabe’s regime in the southern African state.
Zimbabwean wins asylum appeal
The government’s policy on deportation to Zimbabwe has been thrown into doubt, after a failed asylum seeker from the country won his appeal. The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled that the man, who cannot be named, would be at risk of harm if he was returned to President Robert Mugabe’s regime in the southern African state.
12 August 2009
English Channel Ship 'Under Pirate Control'
A missing cargo ship may have travelled through the English Channel after being hijacked by pirates, it has been revealed. The Arctic Sea, which has 15 Russian crew members, had made contact with British Coastguards before it entered the Straits of Dover on July 28.
English Channel Ship 'Under Pirate Control'
A missing cargo ship may have travelled through the English Channel after being hijacked by pirates, it has been revealed. The Arctic Sea, which has 15 Russian crew members, had made contact with British Coastguards before it entered the Straits of Dover on July 28.
15 April 2014
DfE Appoint Former Counter Terrorism Chief To Review 'Take Over' Evidence
The Department for Education has appointed Peter Clark, the former national head of counter terrorism, to review the evidence of an investigation into allegations of a hard-line Muslim plot to take over schools in Birmingham.
DfE Appoint Former Counter Terrorism Chief To Review 'Take Over' Evidence
The Department for Education has appointed Peter Clark, the former national head of counter terrorism, to review the evidence of an investigation into allegations of a hard-line Muslim plot to take over schools in Birmingham.
15 January 2013
HMV Appoints Administrator
Over 4000 retail jobs are at risk after HMV announced it has gone into administration. Deloitte will keep the music and DVD chains 239 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland open while it assesses the prospects for the business and seeks potential buyers. Trading in HMV shares on the London Stock Exchange has been suspended.
HMV Appoints Administrator
Over 4000 retail jobs are at risk after HMV announced it has gone into administration. Deloitte will keep the music and DVD chains 239 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland open while it assesses the prospects for the business and seeks potential buyers. Trading in HMV shares on the London Stock Exchange has been suspended.
06 November 2009
Peer Appointed Channel 4 Chairman
Lord Burns, a former Chief Economic Adviser and Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, has been appointed as the next Chairman of Channel 4, Ofcom has announced. Lord Burns will succeed Luke Johnson who retires on January 27, following two three-year terms. Lord Burns, sometimes dubbed 'Lord Fixit', has served in a number of posts for the government.
Peer Appointed Channel 4 Chairman
Lord Burns, a former Chief Economic Adviser and Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, has been appointed as the next Chairman of Channel 4, Ofcom has announced. Lord Burns will succeed Luke Johnson who retires on January 27, following two three-year terms. Lord Burns, sometimes dubbed 'Lord Fixit', has served in a number of posts for the government.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with any low cloud and mist clearing during the morning leaving long spells of warm sunshine. Breezy at times around the coast. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
