THE Dutch parliament has cancelled its annual 15 million dollar aid programme for Zimbabwe because of human rights violations and other factors. The alleged torture of journalists, a lack of good governance and Zimbabwe’s military intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo are among issues which led to aid being cut, said embassy spokesman Emiel de Bont. A statement by Ambassador Beatrix Ambags released on Tuesday also cited “confusion” over Zimbabwe’s land reform programme. Ambags said major policy changes in Dutch development co-operation meant that aid would be limited to fewer countries, with greater attention paid to policies in recipient nations. The cutting of aid by the Netherlands comes just two weeks after Italy suspended a 22 million dollar aid programme to Zimbabwe because of a lack of transparency in the awarding of tenders.