18 March 2007

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...olland_203.jpg

Four leading Zimbabwean opposition members have been prevented from going abroad and one of them was attacked at the airport, the opposition says.

Nelson Chamisa said he had been beaten as he tried to leave for Brussels on Sunday to attend a meeting.

Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland had planned to seek treatment in South Africa for injuries sustained in police custody, their lawyer said.

And Arthur Mutambara was re-arrested as he was about to leave the country.

Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country.

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President Mugabe has rejected Western criticism and blamed the opposition for instigating the violence.

Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 27 years, but there is increasing discontent over the country's economic crisis.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6463653.stm

In the meantime, BushCo turns a blind eye and has made sure that the UN is just about useless.