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Statement on Saddam Hussein's conviction
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF)
November 05, 2006

The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF)welcomes the message resonating from the trial and conviction of former Iraq Prime Minister, Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein has been found guilty of among other things, crimes against humanity committed while he was a sitting head of state.

ZEF believes that together with the Pinochet, Taylor, and other recent cases, this case sends an unequivocally clear and resounding message to dictators and perpetrators of serious crimes under internatioal and national laws. ZEF hopes that this loud message will not escape the ears of tyrants like President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and all those who serve under him in the commission of torture and other crimes against humanity.

Commenting on the conviction of Saddam Hussein today, human rights lawyer and Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, Mr Gabriel Shumba had this to say: ``Although we deplore the death penalty as a method of punishment,we welcome this news as a triumph for international law and trends. Saddam`s conviction is somewhat a vindication of the Iraq judicial system at a time when that country is still in transition. It indeed signals that country`s return to the rule of law and is an emphatic warning to people like President Robert Mugabe and those who serve him in the commission of gross human rights violations. It heralds and end to the age of impunity for grave crimes and offers succor for victims of state sanctioned atrocities. Heads of State can now not claim immunity for crimes committed while they are in office, and President Robert Mugabe and others should be warned.``

Mr Shumba is currently in Canada to urge that country to study the feasibilty of invoking it`s universal jurisdiction and international laws towards the possible prosecution of those who are committing widespread atrocities in Zimbabwe, in particular those atrocities affecting women and children.

ZEF is a non-partisan not for profit organisation registered in South Africa. It reserches, documents, advocates, lobbies and litigates regionally and internationally on human rights issues affecting Zimbabwe. It also assists refugee victims of torture.

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