Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


UN Rapporteur Calls for Dialogue in Zimbabwe to Clear 'Toxic Environment'

Columbus Mavhunga

   HARARE - U.N. Special Rapporteur Clement Voule, who returned Friday
   from a 10-day visit to Zimbabwe, called for dialogue to clear a "toxic
   environment" in the southern African country.

   Voule's trip was the first official visit by an independent human
   rights expert to Zimbabwe, where for years, rights groups have accused
   government security forces and ruling party thugs of beating, torturing
   and killing opponents.

   "The toxic environment, I raised this many times in my meetings with
   government officials," Voule told VOA, adding that there was a "general
   fear" and "lack of trust" regarding freedom of peaceful assembly.

   "In many of my discussions with victims of use of excessive force by
   police, those victims related that they were targeted because they
   belonged to the opposition," he said.

   The Togolese national called for a dialogue between political leaders
   and civil society, which he said would result in the "peace, human
   dignity and economic recovery" of Zimbabwe.

.