Reid Urges International Community to Help Stop Zimbabwe’s Human Rights Abuses
April 15, 2005OTTAWA – Local MP Scott Reid (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington) today called on the international community to apply pressure to stop Zimbabwe’s human rights abuses.
Mr. Reid made the following statement in the House of Commons today:
Mr. Speaker, leading up to the recent rigged elections, Zimbabwe was the international community’s cause du jour. Now the elections are over, Robert Mugabe has manufactured himself an increased majority, and the international community is doing what it does best-turning its attention elsewhere, precisely when Zimbabwe needs us the most.
Bolstered by his increased majority, Mr. Mugabe is preparing to amend the constitution to entrench his party permanently, and has started arresting opposition Members of Parliament. Nelson Chamisa, the courageous MP and opposition youth leader who is my parliamentary twin, was arrested for distributing pamphlets. Others have been detained on similar pretexts.
Meanwhile, in a country where food is in desperately short supply, Zimbabweans who are known opposition supporters have been ordered to leave the food lines where corn is being distributed. Only the worst monsters in human history have employed hunger as a weapon. International pressure could stop the use of this weapon in Zimbabwe.
Now, of all times, is the moment when the world must not forget the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
For more information or to speak with Mr. Reid
Please call (613) 257-8130 or (613) 947-2277.
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