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Old 02-25-2005, 11:08 AM   #1
trillobyite
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Default Should the International Community Sanction Zimbabwe?

Just like my "Zoos" topic I am taking an objective stance on this. Let's not stray off topic this time though.

ARGUMENTS FOR THE SANCTIONING

1. There are loads of human rights violation in Zimbabwe. Mugabe stole the presidential election by intimidation and ballot-stuffing. He also put the leader of his opposition, Tsvangirai, on trial for attempting to assasinate the leader of Zimbabwe, even though the evidence is not definite and the jury is corrupt. Mugabe even seized 95% of the white-owned farms for no reason. Those farmers that resisted were killed by young "patriots" who claimed to be "war veterans". Foreign journalists out to expose corruption in Zimbabwe have been deported.

2. Sanctions have been in place for one year, yet they are ineffective because the world is not trying hard enough. The sanctions should be applied not by any random country, but by the African countries. A number of African leaders considered Mugabe legitimate, and Mugabe therefore is free to travel and do whatever he wants, not keeping him isolated like sanctions should.

3. Mugabe does not change land reform policies. Though he resdistributed colonial lands, he has no right to ensure violence in the process. This isnt just about whites in South Africa, because if he continues to screw around with law and order blacks will be affected too. Though other African countries have trouble with human rights, Zimbabwe is nothing but a test case for the new model method of governance in Africa; Other African countries just use Zimbabwe as an excuse for "proof" that Africa is committed to democracy.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE SANCTIONING:

1. South Africa and Nigeria are lobbying to return Zimbabwe to the commonwealth. They say that Mugabe concluded land seizures, is not harassing the press, and returned the country to normal. Even if expelled from the commonwealth there should be no international sanction since expulsion does not include threats of heavy EU sponsored sanctions. Also, sanctioning Zimbabwe will injure other African leaders by disabling them from arranging future talks on national unity in Zimbabwe.

2. Sanctions have been ineffective at stopping Mugabe. His mobility was already restricted mildly by the EU. France even allowed Mugabe to enter a meeting in Paris. Even if the sanctions are working, major leaders of the EU do not think it is appropriate. An international sanction will only harm Zimbabwe's declining economy, and Mugabe would not be afraid of returning the country to the substinence farming level.

3. Most countries support the land reform of Zimbabwe, so only the method by Mugabe should be scrutinized. The UK has offered money and aid for proper land reform, since they believe it unfair that whites control most of the land. Many other countries in Africa violate human rights but they are not threatened with sanctions. The decision by the EU to take part in this struggle and all the hate towards Zimbabwe is nothing more than propoganda by channels such as CNN which depict "poor" white farmers being harassed by black soldiers.
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