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AI blasts Zim poll conditions
27/06/2008 21:29 - (SA)
London - Amnesty International attacked what it said was the atmosphere of violence surrounding Zimbabwe's elections on Friday while criticising the African Union's "deafening" silence on the situation.
The presidential run-off vote, in which veteran incumbent Robert Mugabe is the only candidate, are taking place "against a backdrop of widespread killings, torture and assault of perceived opposition supporters," the human rights group said.
It added that it was "deeply disturbed by the continuing campaign of state violence and intimidation as part of a deliberate strategy by the Zimbabwean government to ensure that Robert Mugabe wins today's presidential election".
In a tough-talking statement, it also called on the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to apply "all necessary pressure" on Mugabe to end the violence.
"The silence by the AU Assembly Chairperson, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, with regard to the situation in Zimbabwe has been deafening - and is contrary to its own principles of respect for human rights and the rule of law," the London-based group said.
Anything less than a strong condemnation of human rights violations in Zimbabwe by Kikwete at an AU summit next week would be "an abdication of its responsibilities", it added.
The AU and SADC should put human rights monitors on the ground in Zimbabwe and set up a commission of inquiry to bring those responsible for the violence to justice, Amnesty said.
It also highlighted the plight of what it said were hundreds of political and rights activists imprisoned there for exercising rights like the freedom of expression.
- AFP
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Zimbabwe Special Report
