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Frist
condemns approval of Zimbabwe as member of UN Commission on Human
Rights
Bill Frist,
M.D. (R-TN), U.S. Senate Majority Leader
April 27, 2005
http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1922
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN) today
made the following statement following the United Nation's (UN)
reported approval of Zimbabwe as a member of the Commission on Human
Rights:
"Today's selection
of Zimbabwe as a member of the Commission on Human Rights is deeply
troubling. The Government of Zimbabwe has consistently disregarded
the rights of its people, repressed political dissent and quashed
any and all opposition. Far from earning a role as a protector
of human rights, their membership renders the commission illegitimate
and irrelevant. A real and credible UN Human Rights
Commission would be condemning the current regime and its activities.
I deplore their selection as a commission member, and hope that
this outrageous appointment will help inspire UN members to enact
extensive and meaningful reform of the Commission."
Senator Frist
has long been an advocate for democracy in Zimbabwe. In 2001,
Frist authored the "Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act
of 2001" to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggles to
bring about peaceful, democratic change and restore the rule of
law.
Frist has also criticized the selection of other countries, such
as Sudan, to the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC). In the
last Congress, Frist passed a Senate Resolution with the unanimous
support of his colleagues that called for Sudan's suspension from
the UNHRC while allegations of genocide against the people of Darfur
were investigated.
For more information:
Bob Stevenson
(202) 224-4445
Amy Call
(202) 224-1865
Nick Smith
(202) 224-3355
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