AI urges Mbeki to help end alleged rights abuses

Rights group Amnesty International (AI) has written an open letter to South African President Thabo Mbeki, urging him to intensify efforts to end alleged human rights violations in Zimbabwe. The letter, which Amnesty said had been delivered to Mbeki, is to be published in the South African Mail and Guardian newspaper on Friday. AI spokesman in South Africa Samkelo Mokhine told IRIN that the rights group was "expecting a response from [Mbeki's] government". "The letter, signed by AI South Africa, AI Zimbabwe and other human rights and civil society organisations from South Africa and Zimbabwe underlines the ongoing and unrelenting nature of the crisis in Zimbabwe," said a statement released by the rights group. "The signatories highlight the disparity between the ideals and principles enshrined both in the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the Vision and Mission of the African Union, and the reality of the situation in Zimbabwe as experienced by millions of Zimbabweans." The signatories called on Mbeki "to put pressure on the government of Zimbabwe to end the continued violation of human rights". Several "concrete steps which are needed to tackle human rights abuses" in Zimbabwe were outlined in the letter. "These include: the repeal or amendment of all legislation which violates internationally recognised rights; an immediate commitment to restore systems for state accountability; the impartial investigation of all allegations of human rights violations, leading to those responsible being brought to justice; a public commitment to ensuring the right of all Zimbabweans to food, including transparent and impartial distribution of all state-controlled food supplies," AI noted. Mokhine said the letter acknowledged the importance of the role African leaders needed to play if the situation in Zimbabwe was to be resolved. As to why AI chose to write specifically to the South African president, Mokhine said: "Mbeki was the one who indicated deadlines for the resumption of talks between [ruling party] ZANU-PF and [opposition] MDC; he was part of the Commonwealth troika reviewing Zimbabwe's expulsion [from the group of nations], so he has been very key". "When [US President George] Bush was here [in South Africa] he made certain undertakings regarding the resumption of talks. At the moment he [Mbeki] has gone quiet [on the issue] and his [June] deadlines have come and gone, yet human rights violations continue," Mokhine added.