UN appeals for lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe

by MARCUS MUSHONGA 
HARARE, (CAJ News) – UNITED Nations independent human rights experts have called on the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

The call comes in the wake of the resignation of long-time ruler, Robert Mugabe (93), who resigned last week after pressure from the public, his Zanu-PF party and the military.

Party stalwart Emmerson Mnangagwa is the new leader.

UN experts- Idriss Jazairy and Alfred de Zayas- said the resignation of Mugabe after more than 37 years in power heralded the emergence of a new era, which must be based on democracy and the rule of law.

“However, this cannot happen under the shadow of economic coercion. Sanctions have been in place since the early part of this century, and have led only to the suffering of ordinary people rather than bringing about political change. Now is the time for political dialogue, and the restoration of a functioning economy.”

Jazairy and de Zayas said ordinary Zimbabweans suffered greatly from the consequences of sanctions, which Western nations have argued were targeting only Mugabe and his inner circle.

“Sanctions could not be said to be limited or targeted as the people and companies affected represented the vast majority of the economy.”

Some Western nations imposed the sanctions and travel embargoes on Mugabe’s administration following electoral fraud and human rights violations since 2000.

Mugabe blamed the influential countries for imposing these restrictions as a ploy to effect regime change in the Southern African country.

– CAJ News