The United Nations independent expert on torture today voiced concern over reports of ill treatment in Zimbabwe, 24 hours after his invitation to visit the country was suddenly revoked.
"I deeply regret that the Government has deprived me of the possibility to objectively assess the situation of torture and ill-treatment through gathering on the spot evidence from all available sources, including governmental and non-governmental sources, victims and witnesses, as well as visits to various places of detention," Manfred Nowak, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, said.
"Each hour is critical," he emphasized.
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 has stressed.
On 1 October, he was invited by the Zimbabwean Government to conduct a fact-finding mission from 28 October to 4 November.
While in transit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, he was informed that Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister had decided on Monday to postpone his visit, citing consultations between the Government and the South African Development Community (SADC).
But while waiting for his flight on to Zimbabwe, Mr. Nowak received a later dated 27 October that Mr. Tsvangirai, who serves as Prime Minister, wished to meet him in his office in the capital, Harare, today.
Consequently, the Rapporteur flew to Harare last night, but upon arrival, he was met by the head of airport immigration, who said that despite his valid visa, his entry into the country had not been cleared by the Foreign Minister.
After spending the night at the airport, he was sent back on the first flight to Johannesburg this morning, in spite of efforts by the UN, the Prime Minister and other authorities to facilitate his entry into the country.
"A high-level delegation sent by the Prime Minister to go to the airport was even denied access and told that the Special Rapporteur was no longer held at the airport," according to a press release issued by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Mr. Nowak said that he strongly protests his treatment, urging the Government to fully investigate the incident and identify who is responsible for denying his access to Zimbabwe.
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So apparently the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe does not have the power to invite/welcome officials from the UN to Zimbabwe...............
If ZANU-Poof/Mugabe are genuine partners in the GNU, then what have they to fear from a UN official........?
And WHO has the authority to countermand an order/invitation issued by the Prime Minister?
We've seen this all before, ZANU-Poof/Mugabe are clearly gearing up for a return of violence/intimidaion against MDC-T and they don't want anyone to be around to see it.
What's next? Will ZANU-Poof/Mugabe bar SADC or AU monitors from entering the country?
"Total Empowerment!" - a rhetorical shield for thieves, murderers and rapists to hide behind...........
Juhlman;
Tsvangi, from his home or from Harvest House is not Prime Minister. He can only again become PM if he returns to the Inclusive Govt. What this means is that the sellout is no longer PM until such time he decides to return to the Unity Govt. He, therefore, has no power to invite anyone.
The invitation send to the so-called torture expert was reversed in cabinet which he is boycotting. There is, therefore, no question of the sanctions campaigner having any power when he has stripped himself of the same power.
nonsense. And again you have never provided any evidence that Tsvangirai called for sanctions.
Never mind that. He can't even prove what effect these fictional sanctions have had! Look at countries with real sanctions like Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Burma; all have brutal dictatorships with a vice grip on power. Sanctions have not affected their ability to remain in total control. It just shows you how incompetent ZanyPF really is when they can't even follow "The Complete Idiots Guide to Running a Dictatorship".
ZanyPF's pitiful excuse is that 'if we can't visit Disneyland how can we expect to remain in control and keep subversive forces at bay'. Their logic is astoundingly laughable and beyond pathetic.
Tak:
WRONG! MDC-T has NOT withdrawn from the GNU, it has merely "suspended" contacts with ZANU-Poof due to the intransigence over the matters of the GPA and SADC Communique.
MDC-T was "enticed" into signing the GPA under the assurance of the SADC with the understanding that the issues of the RBZ and AG would be properly addressed under the GNU as per the SADC Communique - to this point, MDC-T's demands have NOT been met.
However, MDC-T, as a signatory to the GPA, does have a place in the current government of Zimbabwe. While they may have withdrawn contacts with ZANU-Poof while "within" government,, their leader is STILL the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe!
There has been NOTHING from MDC-T that they are withdrawing from the government, consequently, Morgan Tsvangirai is STILL the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe at the present time..............
As Prime Minister, MT has the right to invite people to visit Zimbabwe. One must wonder on WHOSE authority, this U.N. diplomat was refused entry............ and, what does that mean when an intivee of the PM is refused entry into Zimbabwe?
Besides, what possibly could ZANU-Poof/Mugabe have to hide? They have "Totally Empowered!" the people of Zimbabwe - what have they to fear?