Toothless UN fails Zimbabwean people, again

Toothless UN fails Zimbabwean people, again

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By Scott Morgan

ONCE again the UN Commission for Human Rights had a draft resolution regarding the collapse of Human Rights in Zimbabwe.

Once again the same result occurred. Again a group of African and Asian countries put forth a No Action Resolution that passed by a narrow margin. The margin was 27-24.

The draft resolution mooted by the European Union with the backing of the United States and the members from Latin America would have expressed “deep concern” at the “continuing violations of Human Rights within Zimbabwe.” The concerns listed were politically motivated violence, torture, sexual assaults, restrictions on the judiciary and on freedom of expression, Opinion, association and assembly.

The proposed resolution also expressed concern over the harassment of the civil service and urged the government in Harare to take all necessary measures to ensure all Human Rights were protected and promoted. Regretfully a bloc of 15 African Countries including South Africa, Sierra Leone Swaziland and Nigeria backed a No Action Resolution with heavy backing from Cuba and China.

The Representative from the Republic of the Congo stated that the proposed resolution would only spread slander and accusations and that Zimbabwe was “demonized” for its land redistribution policies. The Cubans and Chinese said that this resolution had nothing to do with Human Rights but the polarzation of International Standards.

What was the reaction in Zimbabwe? The State owned Herald quoted Stan Mudenge the Foreign Minister as saying that the Government was pleased with the outcome and grateful to its friends especially in Africa. A leading Human Rights group the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum noted “it is disheartening to note that a matter relating to Human Rights of the people of Zimbabwe has been reduced to the flexing of muscles between the global north and global south. “ the statement concluded “ the tragedy of Zimbabwe is that there is so much haggling over the racial contortions of the crisis here. The Fact that the lives of Zimbabweans have been reduced to mere votes makes the entire issue totally meaningless.”

The African Group urged the Authors of the Resolution the EU and the United States to “open real negotiations with Zimbabwe.”

Once again the world has dropped the ball regarding Human Rights in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe has cleverly changed the argument in front of the world and made himself to be the victim of aggression. How long will the people of Zimbabwe have to suffer and more importantly should the west invest in NEPAD after this vote?
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