The United Kingdom (UK) House of Lords has discussed the human rights abuses and enactment of draconian laws by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime in Zimbabwe and urged the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to put pressure on his government to uphold the rule of law.
The issue came to light after one member of the House of Lords condemned the adoption of principles of a legislation that criminalises citizens’ engagement with foreign diplomats as part of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) whose only agenda, he said was meant to “make it a criminal offense for anyone to criticise Mnangagwa”.
Lord Ahmad, UK Minister of State said his government was concerned about the suspension of the rule of law in Zimbabwe. He expressed concern over the continued incarceration of pro-democracy activist and MDC Alliance youth leader Makomborero Haruzivishe.
“The UK remains concerned about the political situation in Zimbabwe. We urge the Zimbabwean government to live up to their own Constitution.
“Our embassy is also in touch with Mr Haruzivishe’s lawyers as we await the outcome of his appeal,” he said.
One member noted that there is a need for Zambia, which recently held a peaceful “democratic” election and other SADC countries to pressure the Zimbabwean government to facilitate a free and fair election.
“There is a need to get Zambia and other countries within SADC to put pressure on Zimbabwe. It has got to come from those countries. We can help but we must make sure that they do that so we get back to a situation by the people of Zimbabwe genuinely holding a free and fair election,” she said.
The British House of Lords also condemned Mnangagwa’s regime for persecuting prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was arrested three times over trumped up charges of tweeting and exposing corruption.
Commenting on the issue, Chin’ono said: “It is a tragedy that my Government continues to persecute me to a point where it is now an issue of discussion in foreign parliaments as seen here today in the British House of Lords!
“It is embarrassing for a Government to continue paying PR companies millions only to get this👇🏿 (he shared the UK House of Lords video).” Nehanda Radio
Rigging elections, ZEC is a stumbling block .
How does a discussion in their house translate to pressure?
Garwe Vagarabwe Those words said in that house will obviously make ED consider how he is governing. Remember ED is on the reengament mission with the western countries including Britain and he is trying to potray himself a different person from Mugabe. So such statements from the British will definitely give him lots of homework.
Donald Zhonga And still how does those geriatric discussions translate to pressure on ED?
Garwe VagarabweGarwe Vagarabwe ED is very desperate to re-engage with the west including Britain as well as rejoin the Commonwealth. Without support from these Britons his dream of rejoining the Commonwealth is dead in water. These pronouncements simply show that ED ‘s bid to re-engage is far from coming to reality so this will naturally worry him and give him sleepless nights especially after lying to his supporters that his journey to Glassgow had succeeded on the reengament front.
Ngavambotimirira ma Zanu tabho navo, pane zvatafunga
We have tried telling him.. but eissh the guy loves his alcohol too much.. he never listens
Police ye SouthvAfrica yakauraya vanhu 166 last year atina kumbonzwa kuti rights abuse
Edy Mudhefi chinondi shamisa vano discuss ma issue eimwe nyika mu house of assembly mavo sei
Chenjerai Lister Mupanduki Zimbabwe yanga iri property ya queen for 100yrs. Tinoongororwa mafambiro nemagariro ava 24/7. Vane vanhu vavo vanokonzeresa munyika kuti mungoita manyama amire nerongo
Edy Mudhefi they don’t talk about other African countries Zimbabwe chete,hahahaha pane chavanoziva kuti chinova benefit chirimo
Chenjerai Lister Mupanduki vakaudza maChina kuti musachera mamineraks edu patakaisa mapeg pese. even Zisco vakanzi musabata
Edy Mudhefi ma1
Thats Africa ,we wait for Boris in UK to adress problems faced by Africans in Africa .SADC is not even voicing ,to me its as good as dead.
Nekurambidza vanhu peaceful protesting, kuziva kuti the whole country will be at stand still
Ko uyu akatinyepera ka. Hanzi takatarisana tikasekererana wani
Tozeza baba,,baba chidhakwa,,,angatadza abuse sei iye achigara akarohwa nesuper