http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-259_1465797,00.html

London - A human rights campaigner has been granted a British court hearing to consider a warrant for the arrest and extradition of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on torture charges.

Activist Peter Tatchell said on Monday that he will present affidavits from alleged torture victims and reports from human rights groups when he makes the application at Bow Street magistrate's court on Wednesday.

A court spokesperson confirmed Tatchell's scheduled appearance before Judge Timothy Workman.

The court list says Tatchell is applying for the warrant on charges of torture under Section 134 of the 1988 Criminal Justice Act, the spokesperson said.

That section of the act rules that anyone who commits, authorizes, colludes, acquiesces or condones acts of torture anywhere in the world can be prosecuted in Britain.

Tatchell is facing two major obstacles - Britain's attorney general must agree to any prosecution, and heads of state are usually immune from prosecution.

"Regardless of whether I win or lose, this case will be worthwhile in two respects: It will help draw world attention to the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, and add pressure on the world community to do something effective to end the tyranny there," Tatchell said in a statement.

The Australian-born Tatchell, 51, has twice tried to make a citizen's arrest of Mugabe, first in London in 1999. When he tried two years later in Brussels, Belgium, he was beaten by Mugabe's bodyguards.

In November, he announced that an armed rebel movement aims to depose the president and put him on trial. Tatchell said he had no involvement in the Zimbabwe Freedom Movement and was merely acting as its messenger.

The British government said it wanted nothing to do with the rebels.

Mugabe quit the Commonwealth in December after leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, voted to extend by a year Zimbabwe's 12-month suspension for election irregularities and human rights abuses.

It is a pity that most of the laws that are passed by such courts never really mean a thing.

We can all be happy that someone is taking the name of Mugabe to court, but in reality mugabe will still enjoy that special immunity that is extended to state presidents. It is a mockery of the judicial system that time is wasted setting up courts yet the fool will still remain free!

People of Mthwakazi, it is just for sentimental reasons that the court in England will sit; and it will be reality that Mugabe will continue to shiiit on the sit of power. He will also be granted special immunity to visit Brussels, New York, Paris and other cities where he is otherwise banned!

We need two things:

1. A UN security council resolution establishing International Criminal Court proceedings against Mgaxabe and his henchmen in respect of atrocities committed since the establishment of the ICC;

2. A UN resolution establishing an International Criminal Tribunal for proceedings relating to all human rights violations of the Gukurahundi era and associated repression committed before the establishment of the ICC.

I agree with you man!
It is a universal body such as the UN which can indict Mugabe successfully.

Individual nations can only do it for pride.

The UN needs signatures from Zimbabweans detailing the crimes and the victims' names.

We can start that.

At least we would have tried as the suffering people of Zimbabwe.

This issue of Mugabe has already been raised at the UN, but Thabo Mbeki's ambassador lobbied and led third world nations in opposing it at the UN Commission for Human Rights convention in Geneva last year. As long as kulabantu abanjenga uMbeki, Mgaxabe actually doesn't need a foreign minister. Mbeki and Zuma are doing the job for him. Mbeki has an agenda against Zimbabweans and their struggle, that's why his police are sjamboking our people at refugee reception centres.
Maybe he should also be a candidate for the international criminal court.

Yes it is frightening indeed to see the manner in which Mgaxabe's proxies fight for him.

There is growing pressure on the United Kingdom to mobilize its undoubted muscle in international councils to push for a series of usable UN Resolutions on Zimbabwe.

The question is, when will the UK and the USA cease to consider Mbeki to be the international community's "point man" on Zimbabwe and start to pursue a more effective and confrontational strategy?

The ICC's jurisdiction could be attracted and the ICT for Zimbabwe could be created with or without (though more easily with) the support of the UNCHR.

Mina I am prepared to gather information, and I am also prepared to put my signature as one who would stand in any court that can bring Mgaxabe to law. Singakhohlwa ukuthi ulabo titisi bakhe abalindele ukubusa nge gazi njengaye, as they have done so before during the Gukura time.

All of them must be brought to law.

Where do we start??? How do we start???

As some one has said, the International Court of Law only acts if it has been petitioned to do so. Bangaki abafuna siyiqale le indaba ngoba salahlekelwa bafowethu.

Li Zwangendaba

L' indaba majita ayifuni individual effort, ifuna organised, collective effort, inhlanganiso yama Ndebele, emele amaNdebele. Yikho ukuze basithathe serious abanye.

Ngcono siyecela u Pius Ncube asikhulumele ngoba phela siyehluleka thina ukubumba into ezwayo.

One can be certain that the great Archbishop will move Heaven and Earth to assist any justice seeking.

Zwangendaba if there are enough of us knocking at the doors of those in power of the host nations of our diaspora one can only hope that eventually they will begin to listen to our suggestions on strategy.

The UK and the USA have to be weaned away from their blind faith in blind and faithless Mbeki in order to press with their might and authority for the UN action we need.

Unfortunately they seem to subscribe to the notion that as and when Mgaxabe goes to his father in hell the Zim situation will autmoatically correct itself.

I am not sure about that by any means.

The second rank of the collective of homicidal maniacs is hungrily awaiting its turn in power after all.

On this forum one encounters impressively articulate and persuasive minds and one knows many are trying to shift the titans towards a realistic policy frame.

WE just have to keep trying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3395757.stm
UK judge rejects Mugabe arrest bid


Robert Mugabe has been accused of human rights abuses
A UK judge has rejected a request to issue a warrant for the arrest of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Bow Street Magistrates has confirmed.
Magistrate Timothy Workman ruled that Mr Mugabe was entitled to immunity as a head of state.

The request was made by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has twice tried to perform a citizens arrest on Mr Mugabe.

Mr Tatchell says the Zimbabwe leader is responsible for human rights abuses.

Zimbabwean journalist Ray Choto submitted written testimony to the court.

He alleged that he had suffered "asphyxiation by immersion in water bags, electric shock treatment and (was) kept throughout in leg-irons and handcuffs" while he was being detained by military police.

'Electric shocks'

Human rights lawyer Gabriel Shumba testified that he was tortured after his arrest last year.

"A blast of electric shocks was then administered to my body... I also lost control of my bladder, vomited blood and was forced to drink my urine and lick my vomit," he said in an affadavit.

Mr Tatchell argued that Mr Mugabe "intentionally authorised, condoned and acquiesced" in such acts.

But Mr Workman said: "I am satisfied that Robert Mugabe is president and head of state of Zimbabwe and is entitled while he is head of state to that immunity."

In November, Mr Tatchell announced that a rebel group had been formed to topple Mr Mugabe.

It is a disgusting and disappointing judgement and one can only hope that Tatchell will appeal.