Welcome Zimbabwe!

Let's send a big "congrats" to the United Nations for permitting Zimbabwe to sit, once again, on the Human Rights Commission. The irony of this situation is that Zimbabwe is itself under investigation by the Human Rights Watch, a group who's purpose is to "investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable." According to the organization, Zimbabwe has:

"Repressive laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) remain in place. The government continues to use these laws to suppress criticism of government and public debate, and those most affected included representatives of Zimbabwe civil society, opposition party supporters, and the independent media.

The government also tabled in parliament new legislation regulating the operations of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the AIPPA Amendment Bill which reportedly seeks to tighten existing media laws. Concerns were expressed that these new laws would further curtail fundamental rights to freedom of expression and association.

Food security remains a pressing issue and concerns have been raised about the availability of food and the risk of political interference in food distribution in the run-up to parliamentary elections in March 2005."

I must say though that with countries like China, Cuba, and Sudan on the Commission it seems that Zimbabwe might be a moderate choice. Good show United Nations!!!