The international community must not supply small arms to Zimbabwe until state-sponsored violence has ceased and the rule of law is re-established, said a statement from the organization.
Amnesty International extended its call to include a halt of sales to Zimbabwe of security equipment including tear gas, water canons and other anti-riot equipment which has been used in the past by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to suppress the right to peaceful protest.
The organisation has documented serious human rights violations committed by soldiers and police in Zimbabwe against opposition supporters after the elections held on 29 March 2008. Though some victims have reported these crimes to the police, no arrests have been reported and it appears that perpetrators continue to commit abuses with impunity.
Amnesty International welcomed the mobilisation of civil society in South Africa and other southern African countries to stop the delivery of arms to Zimbabwe through legal and civil action, and also welcomed the mobilisation of the trade union movement which appealed to its members not to offload the cargo if the ship docked at any African port. Â
The An Yue Jiang Chinese cargo ship carrying arms supplies to Zimbabwe highlighted the absence of a global treaty to ensure proper regulation of the conventional arms trade, said Amnesty. Following a vote of 153 states in favour to one against, United Nations member states were considering the feasibility, scope and parameters for a global Arms Trade Treaty that would prevent the irresponsible trade in conventional arms. Amnesty International and its partners are now appealing for such a treaty to contain provisions to fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law.
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