US unionists barred from Zim
2006-09-22 21:26
Harare - The Zimbabwean government has denied entry to members of a five-strong trade union delegation from the United States, said the US embassy in Harare on Friday.
"We strongly condemn the government of Zimbabwe's decision today to deny entry to a delegation from the United States Coalition of Black Unionists (CBTU)," said the embassy in a statement.
"The delegation was denied entry at the last moment by the government, which claimed that the visit was unacceptable."
The delegation had flown to Harare's international airport from South Africa.
They had arrived for a visit scheduled "months ago" but were turned away and forced to return to Johannesburg.
The CBTU represents black workers within the trade union movement in the US. It delegations are frequent visitors to African nations.
A delegation last visited Zimbabwe in May 2005.
"The CBTU delegation had informed the Zimbabwe government of its intended visit, received visas, and scheduled meetings with a variety of government, labour and civil groups," read the embassy statement.
'Barring deflects attention'
About 30 prominent members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) were arrested last month as they tried to lead a series of anti-government protests in Harare and Bulawayo.
"Clearly the Zimbabwean government's decision not to honour the delegation's visas is the result of events of September 13, when security forces brutally suppressed planned peaceful demonstrations by the ZCTU.
"This transparent attempt to deflect international attention from the vicious beatings is itself an example of the Zimbabwe goverment's repression and of its fear of the truth," said the embassy.
No comment could be obtained from Zimbabwean authorities, but a ZCTU spokesperson confirmed the incident.
"Even the presence of US ambassador (Christopher) Dell at the airport could not help to save the situation," ZCTU's Mlaleli Sibanda told AFP.
Last year, Dell was warned by the Zimbabwean government against "meddling with Zimbabwe's affairs" after he made allegations of corruption.