Zimbabwe / France / Daily briefing (june 6, 2008)

HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 6, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — France / Daily briefing (june 6, 2008) :

 

ZIMBABWE

 

France is deeply concerned by the climate of intimidation and violence developing in Zimbabwe while the campaign for the second round of the presidential elections is taking place.

 

France condemns the detention on June 4 of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on the grounds that he had spoken in public at an election meeting. We call on the Zimbabwean authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that the second round of the presidential election takes place with respect for the fundamental rights of free association, free assembly and free speech.

 

We condemn with equal vigor the fact that diplomats were detained and manhandled on June 5. We remind the Zimbabwean authorities of their obligation to respect the international conventions, specifically the Vienna Convention on the protection of diplomats.

 

Lastly we wish to express our deep concern at the decision by the Zimbabwean authorities to suspend the activities of all NGOs operating in the country. The people of Zimbabwe must be able to receive the aid they need without hindrance.

 

In this context we ask the SADC and AU to do what they can to speed up the arrival of the observer missions they have planned to send to Zimbabwe. It is necessary for them to arrive quickly to ensure the transparent and democratic character of the presidential elections on June 27.

 

SOURCE : France – Ministry of Foreign Affairs