Evictions Envoy Meets Zimbabwe Pres, Tours Captial

Annan's Special Envoy on Evictions Meets Zimbabwean President, Tours Parts of Capital

New York, Jun 29 2005 5:00PM

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy, evaluating the humanitarian aspects of the recent evictions of some 200,000 poor people from illegal housing in Zimbabwe, met President Robert Mugabe in the southern African country today and got the green light to go wherever she liked, the UN spokesman said.

UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka had already visited a number of sites around the capital, including some that have been cleared, as well as government-sponsored relocation areas and had spoken to some of those affected by the evictions, Stephane Dujarric told journalists at the daily briefing.

"She will continue these visits in the coming days and will also meet with a wide array of civil society representatives," he said, adding that she would be the Secretary-General's eyes and ears on the ground and report on what exactly was happening.

Ten UN Special Rapporteurs on human freedoms and rights expressed concern on Monday about the forced evictions and related human rights violations in Zimbabwe and raised questions about the effects on supplies of water and food, education and health care, including HIV/AIDS treatment.

ENDS

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