Zimbabwe escapes UN censure

Violence marred the run-up to elections in March

African countries have joined forces to block an attempt by the European Union to investigate and censure Zimbabwe for alleged human rights abuses.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission, at its annual meeting in Geneva, voted 26 to 24 not to take action on a draft resolution that urged Zimbabwe to invite UN human rights experts into the country.

President Robert Mugabe won a controversial election

The draft, presented by EU countries, had also expressed concern at "violations of human rights by the government of Zimbabwe".

Zimbabwe's leader, President Robert Mugabe, won re-election in a controversial vote in March.

Diplomats said the resolution faced strong opposition from a bloc of 14 African countries led by Nigeria.

They also won support from some Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

The Nigerian delegate, Pius Ayewoh, told the commission that the EU had ignored the problems caused by Zimbabwe's colonial past.

He said there could be no debate on human rights without first focussing on the issue of land.

Debate stifled

Current African members of the commission include Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, South Africa, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Swaziland and Zambia.

China, Cuba, and Syria also supported the African countries, which effectively also stifled any debate on the issue in the commission.

"It's scandalous that there was no action," said Loubna Freih of Human Rights Watch. "On top of that it was not a strong resolution."