Amnesty levels accusations of rights violations

The London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International last week said the charges of treason being brought by Zanzibari government against 18 members of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) party illustrates the "disturbing absence" of human rights protection in the country. "The treason charges against the members of the CUF are politically motivated," Amnesty International said. "There is no substance to the allegations of a violent conspiracy by the defendants to overthrow the Zanzibar government." It said the 18 individuals "are prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned solely on account of their non-violent opinions and peaceful political activities". "The Zanzibar government must set them free and withdraw the charges against them." The CUF members and supporters were initially charged with sedition, but after a month, the charge was changed to conspiracy to commit treason, which is a non-bailable offence and carries a mandatory death sentence. Amnesty warned that the trial could further be delayed so as to weaken opposition campaigning for the next elections in October 2000. It also expressed concern over the ill-health of a number of the defendants resulting from the prison conditions and "denial of adequate medical treatment". "The Tanzanian government should take all the necessary measures to ensure that Zanzibaris enjoy the same basic rights and freedoms as those prevailing throughout the rest of the United Republic of Tanzania," it said. A government official in Zanzibar told IRIN the organisation's allegations were "untrue and baseless". He accused Amnesty of "applying double-standards" by "depicting the opposition as the aggrieved party while ignoring the welfare of the common man".