UN Rapporteurs urge Zim government to respect human rights

Posted by on Thursday, February 28, 2013 in Human Rights, United Nations, Zimbabwe politics | 4 comments
Maina Kiai

Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai

Staff reporter
28th February 2013

Three independent human rights experts have expressed alarm that the increase in attacks against civil society in Zimbabwe coincided with the announcement that March 16th was the date for the referendum on the constitution.

The three are United Nations Special Rapporteurs and they have urged Zimbabwe’s government to respect international human rights norms, including freedom of expression and association and that of peaceful assembly.

They said that had received increasing numbers of reports of intimidation, violence and arrests, particularly against civil society and those working on human rights issues.

“In the context of proposed constitutional reforms and the elections, it is disturbing and shocking to learn that civil society organizations that have been operating for years, including election monitoring groups which aim to promote free and fair elections, have been searched by police,” said the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai.

The experts also expressed their concern at the use of force by police and the arrests of peaceful protestors, such as the WOZA members who were arrested and beaten on Valentine’s Day.

The rapporteurs said: “We urge the authorities to take all relevant measures to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, in view of the recurrence of acts of intimidation and harassment against those exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, which are essential components of democracy.” They added: “We stand ready to provide any assistance to contribute to the protection of fundamental freedoms in Zimbabwe, including through a country visit.”

In the past decade there have been numerous calls from experts around the world, urging the government to abide by the rule of law. These calls are  ignored.

Unless real pressure is applied to the government, that situation is not going to change.

  • Chimbwidos Warvets

    It is known that the so-called human rights groups in Zimbabwe are not sponsored by the government and neither do they get sponsorship from entities within the country but by foreign governments whose agendas are well known. It is a truism that the so-called human rights groups in the country pay allegiance to foreign governments that sponsor them and are all geared at promoting anything that would bring about a regime change in Zimbabwe. Anyone who thinks the so-called human rights groups love Zimbabweans so much must be living in their fools’ paradise as their true business in the country is to change the mind-set of our people with view to ensure they rebel against their own government.
    The UN Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai, should be made aware that the country is currently under siege and can not just watch while these so-called human rights are having it their way. Leaving them to do as they please can not be an option as the foreign governments they represent do not want a government that does not serve their interests. Zimbabwe is heading for serious trouble with these so-called human rights groups that are mushrooming in the country.

  • Zimpatriot

    You and your masters should prepare for a crushing defeat Chimbwidos, and the consequences of that defeat.

    • Chimbwidos Warvets

      Can you set a timetable when you are going to remove your head from your smelly arsehole. And someone should teach you how to wipe your butt, mate. It can get embarrassing to smell in the midst of other people.

  • leftbolo

    the zim government could not sponsos a toilet roll..zanu have drained the country dry and are planning their swift exit to avoid reprisals.mdc should block all of the ponses from leaving the cuntry when zanu loose the elections