Washington | Thursday
A US House of Representatives committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation designed to pressure Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his government to restore democratic rule.
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act approved by the House International Relations Committee, directs President George W Bush’s administration to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to bring about democratic change and restore the rule of law in the country.
The bill, which passed the US Senate in August and now goes to the full House, asks the president to consult with other countries on ways to implement visa restrictions and other targeted sanctions against those responsible for political violence in Zimbabwe.
The proposal also provides funding for such efforts once the rule of law has been established and when free and fair elections are possible. Presidential elections are to held in Zimbabwe in April.
One of the “sticks” in the bill is the imposition of personal sanctions on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his ruling elite.
“This legislation importantly asks the administration to begin a process of identifying the assets of Zimbabwe’s rulers to impose personal sanctions against them for breaking down the rule of law in Zimbabwe,” said Republican Representative Ed Royce.
Washington has been heavily critical of Mugabe’s rule under which there have been widespread human rights abuses, political repression, corruption and the killing of farmers in violence accompanying the government’s plan to turn over white-owned commercial farmland to landless blacks.
“In Zimbabwe, we’re sadly seeing a power-crazed, aged-dictator literally burning his country down,” blasted Royce, chairman of the House International Relations’ Africa subcommittee.
“Dozens of political opponents have been murdered in state-sanctioned violence. Yet Mugabe doesn’t speak out against those doing the violence. He instead calls the peaceful political opposition ‘terrorists,’ and vows to crush them.” If the bill passes the House, Bush must sign it for it to become law. – AFP