Zimbabwe And Reports That Food Aid Is Blocked

Zimbabwe: UN rights chief "deeply concerned" at reports that food aid is blocked

4 June 2008 - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said today that she is "deeply concerned" at reports that the Government of Zimbabwe has stopped food distributions by some international aid agencies until after the presidential elections later this month.

"If true, this would be an unconscionable act," Louise Arbour said. "To deprive people of food because of an election would be an extraordinary perversion of democracy, and a serious breach of international human rights law."

Ms. Arbour made her comments in Rome shortly after addressing global leaders at the High High-Level Conference on World Food Security on the issue of human rights and food.

Last week the High Commissioner condemned killings of opposition activists in Zimbabwe in the run-up to the elections.

ENDS

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