UN News Service (New York)

Zimbabwe: Country Blocks Visit of UN Expert on Torture at the Last Minute

28 October 2009


Zimbabwe today withdrew its invitation for a visit by the United Nations independent expert on torture, who was already en route to the country, citing consultations between the Government of National Unity and the South African Development Community (SADC).

Manfred Nowak, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, had just arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, when he was informed that his mission was being postponed.

Mr. Nowak said in a press release that he welcomes the SADC initiative, as well as all efforts to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

But he underscored that he is not convinced that the consultations, scheduled to be held tomorrow, are a valid reason to cancel his eight-day mission shortly before he was due to arrive.

Earlier this year, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, and President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party agreed to form a Government of National Unity, following months of tensions after disputed presidential elections.

Allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated in recent days underscore the urgent need for an objective fact-finding mission by an independent UN expert, Mr. Nowak stressed, calling on the Government to allow his visit to proceed as planned.

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Author: Phiri
Wed Oct 28 17:52:22 2009

Zimbabwe, under Mugabe is wrong to prevent Mr. Nowak to visit Zimbabwe to assess the conditions in Zimbabwe. World opinion matters, but more important to create a climate of peace and trust, such analyis by the UN could be the basis for improvements in human rights issues.

Author: kjrs120
Thu Oct 29 09:32:27 2009

Mugabe has lots to hide and knows full well that all findings compiled against him will be used as charges against him in the end.

Author: takunya_ndebvu
Thu Oct 29 14:41:58 2009

Kjrs120;

To hell with your charges!!

They say once beaten twice shy, don't they? Indeed, we were beaten once and will not allow ourselves to be beaten again.

Remember that we allowed Tabaijuka to come into our beloved country only to have her "write" an already compiled lies-report that took us years to counter. Why should we allow another of MDC's partners to come and again "write" an already compiled report?

We are fully aware of every move that the puppet party and its masters are making and the only way to counter these moves is to stop idiots like this so-called "UN independent expert on torture" from coming into our country.

Why should we allow a so-called 'torture expert', who is not even an expert, to demonize us when we know too well that it is only meant to promote the regime change agenda.

There is no torture in Zimbabwe and there will never be. We are a peace loving people but will not allow interference from so-called "experts".

Author: juhlman
Fri Oct 30 04:02:48 2009

Tak:

YOU of ALL people talking about "beatings" is truly rich!

Just who in Zimbabwe is being beaten these days? Strangely, it appears only the opponents of ZANU-Poof/Mugabe are being beaten and raped and murdered and tortured. Coincidence? I think not............

It is the continued lawlessness and criminal gangsterism that ZANU-Poof/Mugabe have enshrined into the body politic in Zimbabwe that DEMAND a UN specialist on Torture and Human Rights abuses visit Zimbabwe.

But you don't get it, or won't get it until you're living with Uncle Bob in Malaysia enjoying the sinecure you raped from the people of Zimbabwe.

"Total Empowerment!"

Author: juhlman
Fri Oct 30 04:03:26 2009

Tak:

YOU of ALL people talking about "beatings" is truly rich!

Just who in Zimbabwe is being beaten these days? Strangely, it appears only the opponents of ZANU-Poof/Mugabe are being beaten and raped and murdered and tortured. Coincidence? I think not............

It is the continued lawlessness and criminal gangsterism that ZANU-Poof/Mugabe have enshrined into the body politic in Zimbabwe that DEMAND a UN specialist on Torture and Human Rights abuses visit Zimbabwe.

But you don't get it, or won't get it until you're living with Uncle Bob in Malaysia enjoying the sinecure you raped from the people of Zimbabwe.

"Total Empowerment!"

Author: Mfanyana
Thu Oct 29 14:30:45 2009

The question is, who had invited Manfred Nowak and then, who disinvited him? Was it the GNU or Robert Mugabe?

Author: takunya_ndebvu
Thu Oct 29 14:57:30 2009

Kjrs120;

To hell with your charges!!

They say once beaten twice shy, don't they? Indeed, we were beaten once and will not allow ourselves to be beaten again.

Remember that we allowed Tabaijuka to come into our beloved country only to have her "write" an already compiled lies-report that took us years to counter. Why should we allow another of MDC's partners to come and again "write" an already compiled report?

We are fully aware of every move that the puppet party and its masters are making and the only way to counter these moves is to stop idiots like this so-called "UN independent expert on torture" from coming into our country.

Why should we allow a so-called 'torture expert', who is not even an expert, to demonize us when we know too well that it is only meant to promote the regime change agenda.

There is no torture in Zimbabwe and there will never be. We are a peace loving people but will not allow interference from so-called "experts".

Author: juhlman
Fri Oct 30 04:08:16 2009

Tak:

"No torture in Zimbabwe"? Tell that to Justina Mukoku.......... Tell that to the Supreme Court who dismissed the charges against her because her civil rights were violated. By whom? The CIO/JOC/AG of Mugabe's ZANU-Poof oligarchy.....

No torture in Zimbabwe.........?

Curiously, just as there is no torture in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is similarly "Totally Empowered!"

"Total Empowerment!" - ZANU-Poof PROMISED "Total Empowerment!", have they delivered?

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