Washington concerned over torture allegations in Zimbabwe

Source: CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Allegations that some activists beaten on their buttocks and soles of their feet
* A ruling on the charges' merits is expected March 7
* U.S. State Department spokesman calls for "immediate action" if torture occurred

By the CNN Wire Staff
March 4, 2011 -- Updated 01:51 GMT

The United States expressed concern Thursday about recent arrests in Zimbabwe of political and civil society activists and allegations by their lawyer that some of them were tortured.

On February 19, former Movement for Democratic Change Member of Parliament Munyaradzi Gwisai and 45 other labor union and student activists "who had gathered peacefully to discuss recent events in Egypt" were arrested and charged with treason, State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said in a statement.

Other political and civil society activists have also been arrested, he said.

"Gwisai's defense attorney has reported that several of the 46 people were tortured while in custody, and we understand that the magistrate has ordered physical examinations to substantiate those claims," he said. "We call on the government to provide medical attention for those who need it and, if torture occurred, to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/03/zimbabwe.torture.us/index.html?hpt=T2

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More details at the link and in this related LBN OP: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4752414">45 Zimbabweans charged (with treason) over Egypt revolt video (& face death penalty)

When will we also see: "Washington concerned over torture allegations against previous administration"?

Filed under "Thought I'd Heard Everything", Vol. 275.

too bad they aren't as concerned about one of their own citizens!!!
How disgusting can they possibly become? Free Manning!!!!

not a peep also...

about the buttocks, that's torture. May we suggest they use waterboarding instead.

it had been slipping for quite a while before that - under *Co, with Abu Ghraib and black detention-torture centers, whether our own or in locations where we knew - or had no logical reason to believe otherwise - that torture would occur.

Right now, our protestations literally are received by "ho-hums" even when they are correct. So long as we are so quick to point the finger when it's another country's actions - decidedly not an "ally" or otherwise generally popular - but will not hold our own criminals strictly accountable, no one pays us any mind.

There were brief moments of hope in early 2009. But that hope has flickered out for the most part. So long as there are not enough people of conscience in either US political party - and it does not appear that there are - we will never regain that lost "high ground."

so, no problem!

Anyway, we need to look forward, and not dwell on the past.

Wow, not much to say about that except :wow:

Just when you'd thought you'd heard everything.