Top UN Chief 'alarmed' over Zim

2008-04-28 13:40

Geneva - The top UN human rights official has expressed alarm about violence after the Zimbabwe elections and urged political leaders to restrain their supporters.

Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement on Sunday that she has received reports of acts of violence, including serious human rights violations by state agents and various politically-driven groups.

"I am particularly concerned about reports of threats, intimidation, abuse and violence directed against NGOs, election monitors, human rights defenders and other representatives of civil society," Arbour said.

"The information I have received suggests an emerging pattern of political violence inflicted mainly, but not exclusively, on rural supporters of the opposition MDC party. However, there are also some reports of MDC supporters resorting to violence and intimidation."

Waiting for presidential poll

A partial recount of ballots in Zimbabwe handed the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) a historic victory in parliament over Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF but results of the presidential poll have yet to be announced.

Rights groups have reported an upsurge in violence by pro-Mugabe militias and the military.

Arbour called on both sides' political leaders to restrain their supporters and renounce the use of threats, intimidation and violence against opponents.

She said if "serious and systematic human rights violations persist, they will undermine national and regional attempts to diffuse the present political crisis".

She also called on the Zimbabwe government and its security forces "to discharge their lawful responsibilities in a non-partisan manner, in order to restore the rule of law, and ensure the protection of all Zimbabweans, irrespective of whom they do or do not support politically".

- AFP