Amnesty International Press Release
- From: Zvakanaka <lalapansi@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:22:07 +0200
Amnesty International Press Release
http://www.amnestyusa.org/
Amnesty International Press Release
For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 17, 2009
Ongoing Human Rights Abuses Risk Undermining Zimbabwe's New Political Framework, Amnesty International Warns on Eve of Independence Day Celebrations
Human Rights Organization Expresses Concern for Continued Detention of Three Political Prisoners
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, strimel@xxxxxxxxx
(New York) -- Amnesty International warned today on the eve of Zimbabwe Independence Day that elements within the new government continue to order human rights abuses and no officials have stood up to stop the violations. The failure to establish the rule of law and respect for human rights risks undermining the new government, the human rights organization said.
Amnesty International said it was especially disappointed by the “hands-off attitude” by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), when it is clear that the letter and spirit of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) was being undermined by elements in President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party.
“As the guarantors of the Global Political Agreement, SADC and the AU have an obligation to use their influence to end human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. They are utterly failing in their responsibilities,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International's expert on Zimbabwe. “The AU and SADC have chosen to look the other way and hope that the problems will go away. This is helping to strengthen the hand of those who fear that the success of this government will lead to their being held accountable for past human rights violations.”
Amnesty International expressed particular concern about the continued detention of three political prisoners who were abducted by state security agents and detained for four months. The government appealed a court bail order for political prisoners Kisimusi Dhlamini, Andrison Manyere and Gandhi Mudzingwa, who remain in custody on charges of ‘terrorism" widely believed to be fabricated by the previous government.
“Certain elements within the government are ordering human rights abuses and the government doesn’t seem to be willing or able to do anything to stop them,” said Mawanza.
Other detainees released in March, including Jestina Mukoko, still face charges that raise doubts about the government’s commitment to ending a culture of human rights violations that characterized the previous government’s struggle against perceived opponents.
“A lot of hope is invested in this new inclusive government, and they must establish the rule of law and a climate of respect for human rights to maintain their credibility worldwide. This is a very critical phase they are in,” warned Mawanza.
Amnesty International also criticized the government for failing to investigate reports of enforced disappearances of human rights and political activists allegedly carried out by state agents between October and December 2008.
“It is a scandal that the new government has still not fully investigated the enforced disappearances of more than 30 people last year. Nor have allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the victims been investigated by the authorities. In fact, the state appears to be protecting the perpetrators,” said Simeon Mawanza.
The organization also challenged the government to live up to its promise to establish press freedoms by licensing local media such as the banned Daily News and community radio station Radio Dialogue, and by allowing international media to operate freely in the country.
Note to Editors:
Amnesty International USA and Physicians for Human Rights are jointly launching a petition action asking the United Nations and the African Union to send civilian human rights monitors to Zimbabwe to prevent human rights abuses and support the new government’s transition toward democracy and the rule of law. To participate, please visit: http://zimhumanrights.org/
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