Gay Today: World

Activist-Candidate Warns Zimbabwe's President: Stay Home!

Compiled By GayToday

Peter Tatchell

London, England--The following letter was faxed Monday to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe by Peter Tatchell, founder of Outrage! and currently the Independent candidate for the London Assembly:

President of Zimbabwe
Government House
Harare
1 May 2000

President Robert Mugabe,

Although my citizen's arrest of you last October failed, the next attempt will succeed.

If you ever return to Britain, you will be liable to arrest on charges of torture - not by me, but by the Metropolitan Police.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 2 May, I am meeting the Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens.

At that meeting, I will formally ask the Commissioner to use his powers under the 1988 Criminal Justice Act to arrest you over the massacres in Matabeleland and the torture of journalists Ray Choto and Mark Chavunduka of the Standard newspaper in Harare.

My request is likely to win the official backing of the new Greater London Authority, which has control over policing in London.

I expect to be elected to the London Assembly on 4 May and hope to be appointed as a member of the new Metropolitan Police Authority - which advises the Commissioner.

I am confidant that the Mayor, Assembly members and members of the Metropolitan Police Authority will authorise your arrest on charges of torture, if you set foot again on British soil.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Peter Tatchell: Outrage in Action

Attempted 'Arrest' of African Dictator Gets Results

African Leaders Attack Gays, Ignoring Wars, Disease

Related Sites:
Peter Tatchell for Greater London Authority

OutRage! London

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

This means you will not be able to visit the UK to access your home and assets here, without running the risk of arrest, trial and imprisonment.

Torture is a crime under the UN Convention Against Torture 1984. This Convention has effect in British law under Section 134 of the 1988 Criminal Justice Act. It empowers the police to arrest anyone involved in acts of torture anywhere in the world.

The current terror campaign against political opponents of your government leaves you open to further charges of collusion and complicity with acts of torture.

Although General Pinochet escaped justice, you will not.

Peter Tatchell
OutRage! & Independent candidate for the London Assembly

Vote Tatchell for London Assembly 4 May

Contribute cheques to:
"Tatchell for London"
Tatchell for London,
Sound, Swiss Centre,
10 Wardour Street,
London W1V 3HG

Join Peter Tatchell's Chain Campaign:
Persuade 5 friends to vote for Peter Tatchell.
Get them to persuade 5 more friends and so on.

Email: Tatchell for London: info@tatchellforlondon.freeserve.co.uk