By Leopold Munhende
AMERICA’s new ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont has urged the government to respect human rights, in relation to its mass clampdown on human, political and labour activists ahead of August’s SADC Heads of State Summit held in Harare.
She was speaking on the sidelines of the US Embassy’s ‘delayed’ 248th Independence Celebrations at her residency where Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick Shava represented the government.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling Zanu PF party sanctioned the rounding up of what police sources said were ‘persons of interest’ ahead of the summit as fears grew that some of them could organise protests during the event.
As a result over 100 activists were jailed, with only a handful being granted bail after the gathering.
Evidence of torture was presented in court, with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) fingered in most cases.
“We believe that respect for constitutional and human rights is an intrinsic part of economic prosperity and they go hand in hand,” said Tremont in response to a question on the clampdown.
“It is very difficult to have one without the other.
“We hope that human rights will be respected because they are in the Zimbabwean constitution and are good for Zimbabwe.”
Tremont, who presented her credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in July, had earlier praised US – Zimbabwe relations, emphasising that she wanted to work towards ensuring its self-sustenance.
She highlighted how American business interest was growing in Zimbabwe.
“Whether in agriculture, mining or tourism, US interest and investment in Zimbabwe is growing. We want to fuel that trend,” added Tremont.
In his address, Shava commended the role America and American agencies were playing in ensuring food security, respectable health delivery and the education sector.
He also took the time to ask that the US government consider removing President Emmerson Mnangagwa from its sanctions list.
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