MP MARTIN CALLS FOR CANADA TO INDICT ROBERT MUGABE

FreeAfrica (November 7, 2003)

Canada must act to stop crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe.

Photo: Keith Martin website

Ottawa - Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca and Official Opposition Critic for Latin America and Africa, in Question Period, once again called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bill Graham to indict Zimbabwe’s despotic leader Robert Mugabe.

The people of Zimbabwe desperately need international help to free them from an oppressive tyrant. Robert Mugabe’s abuses of power are widespread and horrific. A report by the Council of Southern African Churches has shown that children as young as 10 years of age are being forced to carry out brutal atrocities – including the torture and murder of innocent civilians.

Torture centres are operating in the country’s capital, Harare. Rape has been used as a tool of intimidation. Political opponents of the regime have been killed or imprisoned. Food is being used as a weapon to starve more than 5 million people whom Mr. Mugabe has deemed not sufficiently supportive of his regime.

“The Commonwealth is a paper tiger. The government’s quite diplomacy has accomplished nothing, and African leaders refuse to speak out against this megalomaniac. The only way to stop him is to indict him for the enormous human rights violations he has committed, and continues to commit.” said Dr. Martin.

Our failure to utter more than tepid rebukes against Zimbabwe’s leadership makes us part of the problem. We become, through our inaction, enablers in the atrocities Mr. Mugabe is inflicting on his people. The people of Zimbabwe are looking for leadership. We are ideally suited to stand up in defence of these beleaguered people and indict their leader. The choice is ours.