Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "The new government in Zimbabwe has
made some notable progress since its inception in February.
"This makes news of the return to custody of 18 high-profile political
detainees all the more disappointing," he added in a statement.
Miliband reiterated that the release of all political detainees was "one of
the principle conditions for full international re-engagement with
Zimbabwe".
He said that in a meeting in London last week with Zimbabwe’s new finance
minister Tendai Biti, he had welcomed the "credible start" to the new
government’s reform efforts.
"The return to custody of political detainees further highlights the reform
needed in the judicial sector," Miliband said.
He said Britain and its international partners "continue to monitor the
situation closely on the ground and continue to maintain close dialogue to
encourage progress on reform."
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party has warned that the
detention of the activists threatens the survival of the country’s fledgling
unity government.
Prominent rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko and 17 others were returned to
custody Tuesday, just two months after they were freed on bail over an
alleged plot to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.
Agence France Presse (AFP)
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