Physicians for Human Rights (Boston)

Zimbabwe: Health System Collapse Requires International Intervention, Concludes PHR Report

13 January 2009


press release

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has published a report showing how the cholera epidemic which ravages Zimbabwe is but one symptom of an utter collapse of the country’s health system, and documenting how the Mugabe regime’s human rights violations contributed to this man-made disaster.

“The report released today by Physicians for Human Rights further documents that the people of Zimbabwe are being denied the most basic of life’s necessities – access to healthcare, food, clean water, even life itself,” said Archbishop Desmond Tutu in a statement endorsing the report. “The world must take action against the Mugabe regime for these crimes against humanity.”

“Mugabe’s regime has violated international human rights and abrogated the most basic state function in protecting its people’s health,” said Frank Donaghue, CEO of Physicians for Human Rights and contributor to the report.

Over 2,000 Lives Now Lost to Worst Ever Cholera Outbreak, UN Reports

The preface to the report, co-authored by Justice Richard J. Goldstone, Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu questions: “What happens when a government presides over the dramatic reversal of its population’s access to food, clean water, basic sanitation, and healthcare?  When government policies lead directly to the shuttering of hospitals and clinics, the closing of its medical school, and the beatings of health workers, are we to consider the attendant deaths and injuries as any different from those resulting from a massacre of similar proportions?”

Goldstone is former Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and a current PHR Board Member. Robinson is a former president of Ireland and is chair of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative. She also served the United Nations as a High Commissioner for Human Rights. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Capetown and Chair, The Elders.

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Author: TD
Wed Jan 14 06:32:39 2009

It is unfortunate that one side of the equation has been clearly well articulated and indeed the health system has collapsed. The observers also need to take an unbiassed review of the sanctions that are supposed to be targetted, but in the process the generality of the population is caught in the crossfire as well, they should review these and recommend to the the instigators whether they are working or not and if not, the likes of Gerorge Bush and Gordon Brown together with RG should meet at the ICC charged for crimes against humanity as well. The voices of some innocent zimbabweans voicing concern of the sanctions should also be listened to not to instead of being labelled ZPF supporters or MDC supporters whatever the case maybe because whether MDC or ZPF, they still have the right to health, education, food you name it.

Author: awt_independent
Wed Jan 14 15:39:26 2009

So which sanctions are you referring too... the ban on travel? OR the ban on arms?

Author: Icho!
Wed Jan 14 07:57:01 2009

The usual and boring same old stupid attack on people trying to liberate themselves.we also have our association called Liberation For Human Rights,so dont make unnecessary noises on these trumped up human rights violations. You are Boston and what your G Bush doing in foreign territories,what are your troops doing doing in the Gulf Region, is that not suppresisng Arab rights to do what they want with their resources. You think, just because you are American or British, whatever you say about an African issue should prevail, what stupid thinking!.Why dont you talk about the sanctions you placed on Zim that make it difficult for the country to get foteign currency in order to buy water purification chemicals. We may be poor as a country but remember we are not poor in our thinking.Only this FOOL (Tsvangirai) you enticed with money at the expense of his dignity is stupid and does think in the same manner as you. Its unfortunate when someone who calls himself a Physician stoops so low to say cholera epidemism is man made.Just stop exposing your idiotic thinking, we progressive Zims will soldier on in the same manner we achieved political independence in 1980. Viva Zimbabwe!

Author: awt_independent
Wed Jan 14 15:41:23 2009

how about the money that was siphoned away from funds for chemical treatment of water to build one mayors mansion? Nothing to do with the west that one. And what does Brown have to do with American policy? Nothing!

Author: kjrs120
Fri Jan 16 23:02:45 2009

Icho, Zimbabwe is not a poor country by any stretch of the imagination. It is your thinking that is poor or should I say your lack of your own thinking because Mugabe tells you when to sit and when to stand. By a doctor stating that cholera is man-made, means that man can control it very easily. There is bacteria everywhere, but when certain kinds enter our bodies, our immune system cannot cope to defeat those organisms without medical intervention, and that is why so many people are dying. All this national grief just because instead of Mugabe treating the country's water supply with the necessary chemicals he took that money and used it for his own shit. Is anyone surprised? No, because he thrives on the vulnerability of those he is suppressing and the rest of you Zanu-pf , he controls you like a puppeteer controls his puppets on a string. Men? Heck no. Just murderers thieves and bullies of women and children.


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