Geneva
06 June 2008
The United Nations is lending its voice to widespread international condemnation of the decision by the Zimbabwean government of Robert Mugabe to suspend the delivery of aid by private agencies in the country. The United Nations says halting their work will hamper the UN's humanitarian operations as well. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.
U.N. Human Rights spokesman, Rupert Colville, tells VOA the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, considers this action to be totally unconscionable.
"To deprive people of food because of an election is a complete perversion of democracy. How can you possibly deprive people with food and then ask for a democratic vote. And, not just food, but all the other aid that Zimbabweans need and are getting from international aid agencies. This is very important. So, to just postpone it for two or three weeks because an election is taking place simply is not acceptable," said Colville.
Colville says the government might be in violation of international human rights law, especially the international covenant on civil and political rights. He says humanitarian aid must not be politicized.