NEW
YORK: A US magistrate has recommended Zimbabwe's ruling party pay at
least US$73 million to compensate victims of political violence in
that country.
Magistrate Judge James Francis said the ruling ZANU-PF party of
President Robert Mugabe should pay damages for violence against
political opponents in the run-up to the country's June 2000
parliamentary elections.
The plaintiffs, all citizens of Zimbabwe, filed suit in a federal
court in New York City. They sought compensation under a US federal
law allowing foreign nationals to sue in US courts for injuries that
violate international law.
The victims charged Zimbabwe's ruling party of organising a
campaign of terror designed to intimidate the political opposition.
They said some of the tactics used against them included harassment,
vandalism, and murder.
Under US law, a federal judge must now approve the ruling.
However, if it is approved, it is unclear whether the ruling can be
enforced.
No Zimbabwe government official contested the suit.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
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