Immigration and The Daily Mail - Hypocrisy in Action

Lots of 'scary' headlines about the latest immigration figures in the national press. The Times took a suitably alarmist stance:

A record number of foreigners were granted British citizenship last year, according to Home Office figures published today.

Just over 164,600 people were given citizenship —- the highest number of applications granted in any year.

The seven per cent increase in persons given citizenship followed a fall in the previous year.

Since 1997 when Labour came to power almost 2 million people have been awarded citizenship, the figures show.

An estimated 591,000 people entered the country, ten per cent up on the previous year, meaning net migration into the country was about 190,000. The overwhelming majority —- 86 per cent —- of immigrants were non British citizens.

“This continued the trend of high immigration to the UK experienced since 1998,” said the Office for National Statistics which published the International Migration figures.


Mmm, scared yet? How about this (watch out for the meaningless statistic):

The number of migrants granted UK citizenship reached an all-time record last year as separate figures revealed more than 200,000 Britons moving abroad.

A raft of statistics released by Whitehall revealed 164,635 foreign nationals were granted UK passports in 2007 - the equivalent of one every three minutes.

The figure is up seven per cent on the previous year and takes the total since Labour came to power to almost 1.2m.

Did you spot it? Incidentally, that last extract is repeated in the Daily Mail. And the good old Express? Why, they are suggesting the figures aren't reliable and are actually much higher:

MINISTERS have no idea how many immigrants are coming to Britain, according to a damning report by MPs.

The official statistics are “totally inadequate” for grasping the scale of population changes, the Parlia-mentary investigation has concluded.

As a result, public services are in danger of collapsing because the lack of reliable data means the Government is incapable of planning ahead.

None of these papers really touch on why there is a rise in immigration (the Daily Mail doesn't even mention where they are from). After all, that would mean treating readers like intelligent individuals instead of mindless zombies. According to the National Statistics website the majority of asylum seekers come from: Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Iran and Eritrea. Notice any connection there? Two countries have been devastated as a result of our military adventures. These two countries have become increasingly dangerous as a result of our interference. Consequently, it seems quite right and proper that as we fucked their countries, they should come here to enjoy the freedom and democracy we have failed to deliver over there. If we bomb the shit out of their utilities and make their daily lives almost impossible, who can blame them for coming here?

As for the others, presumably the mainstream media are suggesting we send back asylum seekers from Zimbabwe? Despite the fact that the very same media outlets have been exposing how dangerous life is in Zimbabwe. So what is it to be, eh? Help the people of Zimbabwe, or turn our backs on them? It wasn't so long ago that the Daily Mail ran a headline screaming:

Don't Zimbabweans have human rights?

Make up your minds chaps. Either you want the people of Zimbabwe to have asylum here, or you do not. Which is it going to be? Just how deep is your concern for the people of Zimbabwe? Is it simply political opportunism? Fear-mongering? Or a genuine desire to protect their human rights? I think we know the answer.

Silver Lining in Zimbabwe

So it appears that even Mugabe isn't all that bad:

Nicholas van Hoogstraten, the British property tycoon who is close to the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, is expected to appear before Harare magistrates today on charges of breaking foreign exchange laws and possessing pornographic pictures of himself having sex with a Zimbabwean woman.

Van Hoogstraten, 63, was arrested on Thursday night apparently after tenants who were evicted for failing to pay rent in advance in foreign currency, which is illegal under Zimbabwean law, complained to the police.

Officers searched his home and said they found the equivalent of about £25,000 in foreign currency, in breach of exchange laws, most of it in US dollars and South African rand, as well as 20bn Zimbabwe dollars, worth about £1,700 on the black market.

Such a shame.

Good Old Ian Smith

Spotted this in The Guardian's Diary section:

Against the backdrop of ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe, all papers sought the most thoughtful way to report the death of Ian Smith, the man who fought so strongly to prevent black rule. "Rhodesia PM Smith dies at 88", said the Sun. "Ian Smith, scourge of Britain and Mugabe, dies aged 88", said the Telegraph. "Rhodesia's last white leader dies", reported the Times. Only the Daily Mail would think to headline its story with his nickname, "Good Old Smithy". Good old Daily Mail.

Says it all really doesn't it??

Women in Zimbabwe Facing Increasing Repression

Zimbabwe: Women at the forefront of challenging government policy face increasing repression

Zimbabwean women are suffering increasing repression as they mobilize to confront the government in the face of a spiralling economic and social rights crisis in Zimbabwe, according to a new report released today by Amnesty International.

In the report, the organization released the findings of a three-week research mission during which Amnesty International's delegates interviewed scores of women of all ages throughout Zimbabwe, from both townships and rural areas.

"The Zimbabwean government needs to address the underlying economic and social problems that are motivating women to protest -- rather than attacking them and criminalising their legitimate activities in defence of human rights," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

While in Zimbabwe, Amnesty International spoke to women activists who make up the majority of the hundreds of Zimbabwean human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for engaging in peaceful protest marches or meetings in the last two years. Delegates spoke to many women who became human rights defenders following repeated violations of their rights by the Zimbabwean government.

Most women interviewed by Amnesty International reported being subjected to beatings and other ill-treatment while in police custody, in some cases amounting to torture. Much of the abuse has included sexist verbal abuse and derogatory accusations aimed at discrediting their character and work. Some have been detained with their children or while pregnant in deplorable conditions falling far below international human rights standards.

"Zimbabwean women have demonstrated incredible resilience, bravery and determination in the face of increasing government repression. They are aware of the dangers they face but refuse to be intimidated into submission," said Irene Khan.

Women activists told Amnesty International that police often accuse them of being used by the British and American governments to overthrow the Zimbabwean government and of being agents of regime change. This is often followed by random beatings, with some women suffering serious injuries, including broken limbs.

"The Zimbabwean government is not only making false accusations against women activists, it is also failing to acknowledge its role in creating the desperate situation in which these women find themselves," said Irene Khan. "One way in which the government is doing this is by trying to deny a direct causal relationship between its policies and the deepening poverty and spiralling human rights crisis in the country."

Clara, a 60-year-old widow in Masvingo province, is a member of the Women's Coalition -- a national women's human rights organization. In 2003, Clara spoke out against discrimination against perceived supporters of opposition parties in food aid distribution in her village at a community meeting. She was accused by local ruling party officials of being a member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). To this day, Clara is still not allowed to buy Grain Marketing Board (GMB) maize.

"Women in Zimbabwe are demanding respect and protection for their own human rights and the rights of members of their communities -- often in the face of severe repression, including arbitrary arrest and torture," said Irene Khan.

"The treatment of women human rights activists while in custody has had dire consequences for the women and their families -- particularly for the children left behind without care."

Women from both rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe are finding it increasingly difficult to buy food, pay for medical care and earn a living to support their families. The majority of those affected by the government's clampdown on the informal business sector in 2005 are poor women.

Amnesty International delegates witnessed the desperation caused by daily increases of prices of basic goods such as food and transport, while most people's wages remained static. In every location visited by the organization, women were desperately trying to sell their goods, while at the same time trying to avoid being arrested and having their goods confiscated by police.

Many women human rights defenders are not allowed to buy maize from the GMB simply because they belong to human rights organizations or speak out against discrimination or other violations in their communities -- in violation of their right to adequate food.

"Heads of state in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) need to redouble their efforts to end human rights violations in Zimbabwe," said Irene Khan. "At their next summit meeting in Zambia in August 2007, SADC leaders should insist that President Mugabe immediately stop the intimidation, ill-treatment, torture and harassment of critics of government policies."

"Women activists are an important resource for the development of Zimbabwe and must be seen as such by the government. They play a pivotal role in addressing the many human rights challenges the country is facing. The government must acknowledge the legitimacy of their work and stamp out any discrimination against women."

Note to editors:


Amnesty International delegates made several requests for meetings with government officials to discuss their concerns -- both in person and in writing -- but were refused an interview on all occasions.

To see a copy of the full report, Zimbabwe: Between a rock and a hard place - women human rights defenders at risk, please go to: http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr460172007


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Mad Mel, John Howard and the 'Grubby Dictator'

Remember Melanie Phillips working herself into orgasms over the 'principled' stand by John Howard over Zimbabwe? It was an almost sickening piece of lust for the Australian leader. One wonders how she manages to sleep at night with thoughts of the wonderful Mr Howard swimming around her head. Anyway, Melanie was clearly very proud that Howard is the only leader to actually take a principled stand over Zimbabwe, but just how true is this? How deep do Howard's principles go?

It would appear that it isn't very deep at all. The following is a chart taken from the Australian government's website, detailing trade between Australia and Zimbabwe:

As you can see, there is a rise in 2006. That line represents imports into Australia from Zimbabwe. Despite the apparent human rights abuses, and Howard's righteous indignation, it seems that Australia is quite happy to continue doing business with Mugabe. In fact, on closer inspection of the figures, we discover that trade has increased quite dramatically on 2005. According to the Australian government, imports from Zimbabwe have increased by a staggering 87.4% year-on year. And total trade has increased by 33.6% overall compared to last year. This is quite an astonishing rise. Although Australia isn't a major trading partner with Zimbabwe, it has increased trading with the African nation despite the continuous human rights abuses. So much for Howard's principles.

If John Howard really was serious about Mugabe, if he really believes that he is a 'grubby dictator', why is he so happy to do business with him? By doing so, he is helping to prop up the regime. The biggest winner from the trade between the two countries is tobacco. In fact, it is fair to say that the money from tobacco crops is what is keeping the regime afloat. According to The South African Institute of International Affairs, one economist declared that:

‘More than two-thirds of the country’s 1,500 commercial tobacco growers have been run off their land. Some have sought refuge in the urban areas. Many more have been lured by neighbouring governments competing for Zimbabwe’s spoils and big tobacco companies looking for more stable places to do business.

'There is no doubt about the pivotal role tobacco plays in the economy. A drop in tobacco earnings means loss of revenue for the government to pay for fuel, electricity and other essential imports. Downstream, other industries will also be seriously and negatively affected.’

A 'pivotal role'. And yet, Australia has increased trading in tobacco. So, Mugabe may well be a 'grubby dictator', but he is a 'grubby dictator' that Howard helps keep in power.

Does this mean that the love affair between Mad Mel and John Howard is over? I very much doubt it. Facts and figures are alien to Mad Mel, she prefers hard rhetoric and aggressive posturing to any real sense of values and principles. One only has to read the never ending stream of rubbish that she continually spouts about the Iraq war. No, the facts will be brushed aside as Mad Mel maintains her campaign to spread untruths around the globe in her bid to consolidate her rather twisted right-wing ideology.

Pots, Kettles and John Howard

John Howard has demanded that the Australian cricket team puu out of a scheduled tour of Zimbabwe in September. Criticising the human rights abuses of Mugabe, Howard said:

"The Mugabe regime is behaving like the Gestapo towards its political opponents."

That's John Howard ladies and gentlemen. The very same leader who refused to stand up for the basic rights of an Australian citizen.

Zimbabwean Trade Unionists In Hiding

From Amnesty International:

Two Zimbabwean trade unionists have gone into hiding after receiving threatening phone calls. The callers identified themselves as members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

The ZRP and CIO officers are reported to have accused Edward Dzeka and Joyce Muwoni, who are officers of the General Agriculture and Plantations Workers Union (GAPWUZ) in the farming town of Chegutu, of organising workers to take part in the job “stay away” demonstration in the town and on the surrounding farms.

Members of the ZRP and CIO also called at the GAPWUZ offices on 4 April and enquired about the whereabouts of the two unionists. They later visited the home of Edward Dzeka, who is also the district chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), in Chegutu.

Some of the ZRP and CIO officers making the alleged threats are known to the trade unionists. They are believed to be targeting leaders of trade unions following the 3 to 4 April national job “stay away” demonstration organised by the ZCTU.

Edward Dzeka was previously arrested with 10 other trade unionists on 13 September 2006 for organising peaceful protests under the ZCTU. The 11 trade unionists were reported to have been tortured by members of the ZRP at Chegutu police station. They are currently on bail after being charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

Amnesty International understands that Edward Dzeka and Joyce Muwoni are being threatened for exercising their rights to freedom of association and assembly by organising a peaceful demonstration as part of GAPWUZ and the ZCTU. Amnesty International is deeply concerned about their safety and calls on the police and CIO to guarantee their safety.

For further information, please see:Trade unionists at risk in Zimbabwe (Feature, 2 April 2007)

Zimbabwe: End harassment, torture and intimidation of opposition activists (Press Release, 28/03/2006)

Take action: Stop harassment of activists in Zimbabwe

Also see: One Big Union

Zimbabwe: End harassment, torture and intimidation of opposition activists

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International

28 March 2007

Amnesty International expressed outrage at today’s dramatic events in Zimbabwe, including the arrest and subsequent release of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The organization called for an end to the continued harassment, torture and intimidation of opposition activists in Zimbabwe.

"We are very concerned by reports of continuing brutal attacks on opposition activists in Zimbabwe and call on the government to stop all acts of violence and intimidation against opposition activists," said Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

The organization also called on African leaders meeting in the region to take action in response to today’s events.

"African leaders have allowed the government of Zimbabwe to operate outside the international human rights framework by deciding to adopt a strategy of quiet diplomacy -- a tactic that in this case has left the victims of human rights violations to suffer without protection," said Olaniyan.

"Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders meeting in Tanzania must now send an unequivocal message to the government of Zimbabwe that human rights violations in that country will no longer be tolerated."

Amnesty International obtained the following information regarding recent attacks on opposition activists in Zimbabwe:

Morgan Tsvangirai, President of Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC party, was arrested today at his office in Harare together with at least 20 MDC party workers and members. Lawyers were denied access to those arrested and some were also threatened with arrest. Police are reported to have closed all roads leading to the offices and eyewitnesses report seeing police loading furniture into trucks. Tsvangirai was subsequently released.

In a raid early this morning police arrested Paul Madzore and his wife Melody Kuzvinetsa at their home. They also assaulted other occupants in the house. Paul Madzore is a Member of Parliament (MP) for Glen View, a constituency in Harare. Their whereabouts are unknown.

Also early today, police arrested Ian Makone and his wife Theresa Makone at their Borrowdale home in Harare. Ian Makone is a member of the MDC’s National Executive Committee. Theresa Makone is the MDC chairperson for Mashonaland East Province. Police are also reported to have today arrested Pineal Denga and his wife in Marondera. Pineal Denga is the organising secretary of the MDC in Mashonaland East province. The couple’s whereabouts are also unknown.

At 12.00 pm on 27 March, Last Maengahama was abducted outside the Borrowdale Shopping Centre in Harare by people in plain clothes who are believed to be security agents. Maengahama was returning from a memorial service for Gift Tandare, an activist who was shot dead by police in Harare on 11 March 2007. Maengahama is also an MDC activist. He was later dumped by his abductors in Mutorashanga, some 100 kilometres from Harare. He had been severely beaten and is currently receiving medical treatment at a private hospital in Harare.

Amnesty International called on the Zimbabwean government to ensure that all those arrested have immediate access to lawyers, doctors and their families and are promptly brought to court to review the legality of their detention.

The government must also guarantee their safety and well-being and immediately investigate any allegations of torture.

"Anyone detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression or assembly must be immediately and unconditionally released," said Olaniyan.

AI Index: AFR 46/007/2007

For more information:

Harassment of activists continues in Zimbabwe

http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaf8ciabxuUdcksvcKb/

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Zimbabwe - Coup Likely

Mugabe's rule close to a 'nasty, short and brutish' end, says former right-hand man.

Let's hope the end is nigh for Mugabe.

Mugabe Opponent Beaten At Airport

Not content with having one opponent beaten, Mugabe has now set upon having another opposition MP beaten. Nelson Chamisa was beaten at Harare airport, on his way to fly to Brussels. From The Guardian:

Mr Chamisa, 28, spoke to the Guardian from hospital where he was awaiting surgery late yesterday. Doctors said he may lose an eye from the assault, which took place in front of frightened travellers.

"Just as I was about to enter the door of the departure area, eight men jumped me and began hitting me with iron bars. I just fell to the ground," said Mr Chamisa. "Nobody is safe in Zimbabwe. There is no security, no rule of law. I am praying for my country."

Pearson Mangofa, an opposition MP who drove Mr Chamisa to the airport, said his assailants shoved away passengers who tried to help him. The men grabbed Mr Chamisa's passport, bags and laptop computer before speeding off in two cars, one without a licence plate.

Seven of them wore suits while one wore an army vest. Mr Mangofa said the attack bore the hallmarks of Zimbabwe's domestic spy agency, the Central Intelligence Organisation.

Thankfully, there are signs of change. Morgan Tsvangirai claimed that:

"Things are bad, but I think that this crisis has reached a tipping point and we could see the beginning of the end of this dictatorship."

Let's hope so. For the sake of those suffering under state repression.

Mugabe's Zimbabwe

While many commentators on the right remain silent about Mugabe's repeated human rights abuses (search Mugabe on Melanie Phillips' page and you get TWO hits. Two hits in nearly four years of posting), Chris McGreal paints a vivid picture of the disastrous effects of Mugabe's dictatorship in today's Guardian. Here are a few statistics:

37 Life expectancy at birth in Zimbabwe
60 Average life expectancy in 1990
81 The infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births), compared with 53 in 1990
$340 The national income, per person, compared with $4,960 in South Africa
5.5m Zimbabweans live with HIV
1.1 m Children have been orphaned by Aids
6 People out of every 100 have a phone, compared with 47 in South Africa
56% Of the population earn less than $1 a day, compared with 11% of South Africans

· Source: Unicef

The 'Good' Dictator

Whilst one dictator is continuing to stick two fingers up to the West with little in the way of punishment (so much for the Blair doctrine), another dictator that has cosied up to the West is facing a major backlash. And yet, as Mugabe is rightly reviled for his disgusting abuses of human rights, the threat to Musharraf poses a serious problem to Bush and Blair. As far as they are concerned, Musharraf is a 'good' dictator that must be supported at all costs to act as a buffer to Islamic militancy (a similar policy to that employed in South America during the Cold War). Much as the West's support of the Shah in Iran has had lasting effects, so could our support of Musharraf have long term effects in Pakistan.

Just last week, Musharraf suspended a top judge of the Supreme Court for 'abuse of office'. What this abuse was has not yet been disclosed, but many suspect that this is an attempt by Musharraf to purge the judiciary of independent voices, particularly with an election due towards the end of this year. This, in turn, has led to massive demonstrations against Musharraf by lawyers and opposition leaders who support the continued independence of the judiciary. The police acted in the manner befitting of a dictatorial state by firing tear gas and arresting numerous demonstrators, including an opposition party leader and a former national president. In Lahore, hundreds of protesters were joined by the former president Rafiq Tarar, who was subsequently arrested and removed from the scene in a police vehicle. In total, over 200 people were arrested in Lahore and more were rounded up in raids in Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi.

Not content with an attack on the independence of the judiciary, Musharraf has also launched an attack on the media. On Thursday, the Pakistani government banned a leading prime-time television program because of 'negative coverage' of the President. According to CNN, Kamran Khan, host of "The Kamran Kahn Show" on Geo TV (the most popular channel in Pakistan), was banned from doing his show due to its coverage of the dispute. The attack on the media continued after the demonstrations across Pakistan. After broadcasting footage of police firing rubber bullets into the crowds, Geo TV's offices were raided by the police. According to Geo's bureau chief, Hamid Mir:

"Police have attacked our office, they are breaking windows. They are beating our staff. They have used tear gas shells. Even our female staff have been hurt. They are damaging our building."

So, let's make this clear. Violent attacks on the opposition? Check. Purging the judiciary? Check. Shutting down the media? Check. And that's not to mention the fact that the judge in question, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, has already been roughed up once by the very security services that were sent to 'protect' him. Of course, you would expect the West to be quick to condemn these actions, right? This is how State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack responded:

"...President Musharraf is acting in the best interest of Pakistan and the Pakistani people."

Whoa, easy on the criticism there Sean.

The problem for the West is that Pakistan is a 'vital ally' in the 'War on Terror'. So vital, that Bush threatened to bomb them 'back to the Middle Ages' (such a charmer) if they didn't get onboard. Musharraf is now seen as a pro-Western dictator in the region and is subsequently under some very serious pressure. There is a very real danger of his regime collapsing and a 'vital ally' will be lost. Furthermore, the fact that he is being propped up by the US and UK governments only serves to inflame a region already hostile to the West. The collapse of Musharraf's dictatorship would be yet another nail in the coffin for the foreign policy of the Western powers in the 21st century.