What do you think about what's happening in Zimbabwe?

[Lung]

Obviously beyond commonwealth nations nothing much seems to be known about the rape, torture and murder than routinely happens against white farmers and members of the opposition party in Zimbabwe.

Just before the elections, Tony Blair failed to get sanctions against Zimbabwe for widespread and wholesale human rights abuses, primarily due to African nations who refused to punish Mugabe for his undemocratic tactics. Shortly afterwards Mugabe won their national election among widespread accusations of vote rigging and intimidation, despite surveys indicating upwards of 90% opposition to Mugabe's party in urban areas.

Mugabe claims that all of Zimbabwe's problems are due to colonialism, apparently including his own paramilitary training camps for teenager so they can terrorise any opposition, white or otherwise.

So select your choice!

[KrazyHorse]

Just before the elections, Tony Blair failed to get sanctions against Zimbabwe for widespread and wholesale human rights abuses

If you hadn't noticed, the Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe for at least a year, pending review.

[Lung]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

If you hadn't noticed, the Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe for at least a year, pending review.

Sorry, but i was talking about the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting) in Australia a few weeks ago. I simply forgot to mention it

[KrazyHorse]

Yes, and they quite rightly decided to wait till after the election to decide anything. The Commonwealth observers came back with a negative report, and Zimbabwe was suspended within a week.

Having the full weight of the Commonwealth behind a suspension says more to Zimbabwe than simply lining up white countries against a black one.

[Lung]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Yes, and they quite rightly decided to wait till after the election to decide anything. The Commonwealth observers came back with a negative report, and Zimbabwe was suspended within a week.

Having the full weight of the Commonwealth behind a suspension says more to Zimbabwe than simply lining up white countries against a black one.

True, but the writing was already on the wall. Now hundreds, perhaps thousands, more have been subject to torture, murder, or imprisonment in the interim week/s. Better late than never, i suppose, but it's not much consolation for those affected. In any case, it holds much more weight when black countries support the move.

[KrazyHorse]

Nothing we can say will force Mugabe out in the next few months anyway. He's got enough of a hold on power that it'll take a while. We've maintained the Commonwealth's unity at the price of a 2 week total delay.

[Ramo]

Tsvangirai has just been charged with treason. Undoubtedly, we'll see an even harsher crackdown of MDC supporters in the future.

[- Groucho -]

Something has to be done. The below is a picture of a white farmer killed today while trying to escape when his farm was attacked. That is his dog curled up beside him.

[Wittlich]

President Mugabe is a crook. Plain and simple.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Echinda
Something has to be done. The below is a picture of a white farmer killed today while trying to escape when his farm was attacked. That is his dog curled up beside him.

Is it really necessary to engage in voyeurism? We've all seen enough TV to know what a dead body looks like.

[David Floyd]

Mugabe IS the spawn of Satan, but we have no business forcibly removing him or restricting free trade. I hate the guy for what je did to the white farmers/landowners, though.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by David Floyd
we have no business forcibly removing him or restricting free trade.

What's wrong with sanctions? States are under no special obligation to trade with those they distateful.

[Faeelin]

Arne't the whites in Zimbabwe British citizens of some kind? I apologize in advance, but I thought that was part of the peace treaty, or they're British nationals. Of course, I havne't been following it that closely since I stopped getting the Telegraph, so there's a very good chance I'm wrong.

[David Floyd]

What's wrong with sanctions? States are under no special obligation to trade with those they distateful.

As long as the sanctions don't prevent individuals/corporations from buying and selling goods, I have less of a problem.

[- Groucho -]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Is it really necessary to engage in voyeurism? We've all seen enough TV to know what a dead body looks like.

You have odd ideas about voyeurism.