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Zimbabwe blocks UN torture expert UN expert 'denied Zimbabwe entry'
(about 5 hours later)
Zimbabwe's government has withdrawn an invitation to the UN's investigator on torture, Manfred Nowak, hours before he was due to land in the country. The UN torture investigator has said he was denied entry into Zimbabwe, despite an invitation from the country's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mr Nowak said he would travel to Zimbabwe despite the snub. Manfred Nowak said he was stopped by immigration officials after landing at Harare airport on Wednesday evening.
It comes amid claims that supporters of President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have launched a campaign of violence on MDC members - their coalition partners. Mr Nowak's week-long fact-finding mission was blocked by Zimbabwe's foreign ministry at the last minute.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, withdrew co-operation with the unity government two weeks ago. The ban comes amid a renewed political crisis between power-sharing rivals Mr Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe.
He was angry at perceived failure of Zanu-PF to implement measures agreed to as a part of the power-sharing deal and the jailing of a senior Movement for Democratic Change member on terrorism charges that he says are trumped up. Supporters of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have reportedly launched a campaign of violence on Mr Tsvangirai's MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) party.
Mr Tsvangirai withdrew co-operation with the unity government two weeks ago.
He was angry at perceived failure of Zanu-PF to implement measures agreed to as a part of the power-sharing deal and the jailing of a senior MDC member on terrorism charges that he says are trumped up.
The BBC's Karen Allen, in neighbouring South Africa, says the decision to cancel the trip is bound to be seen by some as a battle of wills between the two major parties.The BBC's Karen Allen, in neighbouring South Africa, says the decision to cancel the trip is bound to be seen by some as a battle of wills between the two major parties.
And ahead of a regional meeting on the crisis, human rights group Amnesty International has warned the country is on the brink of sliding back into last year's post-election violence.And ahead of a regional meeting on the crisis, human rights group Amnesty International has warned the country is on the brink of sliding back into last year's post-election violence.
Prison visitsPrison visits
Mr Nowak said he had received "two completely different messages" from the Zimbabwean government - but he said he would meet Mr Tsvangirai on Thursday. Mr Nowak earlier said he had received "two completely different messages" from the Zimbabwean government - but added that he would try to meet Mr Tsvangirai on Thursday.
Recent allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated... highlight the urgency of objective fact-finding UN statementRecent allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated... highlight the urgency of objective fact-finding UN statement
"I got the clear message from the prime minister that it is his understanding that the mission is going on," he said."I got the clear message from the prime minister that it is his understanding that the mission is going on," he said.
"That leads me to the conclusion that there must be some kind of misunderstanding between the different cabinet members.""That leads me to the conclusion that there must be some kind of misunderstanding between the different cabinet members."
The United Nations says Mr Nowak - the special rapporteur on torture - was informed of the cancellation only when he was in South Africa on his way to Zimbabwe. The UN says Mr Nowak - the special rapporteur on torture - was informed of the cancellation only when he was in South Africa on his way to Zimbabwe.
He had been invited by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa - a Zanu-PF member - to meet officials and rights activists, inspect prisons and police stations and compile a report for the Security Council. He had been initially invited by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa - a Zanu-PF member - to meet officials and rights activists, inspect prisons and police stations and compile a report for the Security Council.
But the UN said Harare had called off the visit because of an unanticipated meeting with the southern African regional group, Sadc.But the UN said Harare had called off the visit because of an unanticipated meeting with the southern African regional group, Sadc.
A Sadc team is due in Harare on Thursday to try to resolve the political crisis.A Sadc team is due in Harare on Thursday to try to resolve the political crisis.
Nevertheless, Mr Novak said he would travel to Zimbabwe, following an invitation from Mr Tsvangarai.
The UN said in a statement that Mr Nowak welcomed "all efforts to resolve the political crisis", but that the Sadc meeting was not a valid reason to cancel his visit.The UN said in a statement that Mr Nowak welcomed "all efforts to resolve the political crisis", but that the Sadc meeting was not a valid reason to cancel his visit.
"Recent allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated during the past few days, highlight the urgency of objective fact-finding by an independent UN expert," the UN said."Recent allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated during the past few days, highlight the urgency of objective fact-finding by an independent UN expert," the UN said.
On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai's MDC party said there had been an increase in violent attacks on its members.On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai's MDC party said there had been an increase in violent attacks on its members.
Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said a senior official had been stopped and beaten by Zanu-PF supporters on Tuesday morning. Days earlier, an MDC residence was raided by police.Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said a senior official had been stopped and beaten by Zanu-PF supporters on Tuesday morning. Days earlier, an MDC residence was raided by police.
Zanu-PF has described the comments as "cheap propaganda".Zanu-PF has described the comments as "cheap propaganda".