Russ Feingold: “today I draw my colleagues' attention to the situation in Zimbabwe, where courageous citizens continue to protest the…”

“today I draw my colleagues' attention to the situation in Zimbabwe, where courageous citizens continue to protest the political repression and economic collapse that have plunged their country into crisis. Since 2000, President Mugabe has made a series of decisions intended to tighten his grip on power regardless of the cost to the country, trampling on the independence of the judiciary, harassing the independent media, manipulating the political process, intimidating opposition supporters, destroying the economy, and exacerbating a food crisis. A very real and legitimate issue--the need for meaningful land reform--was for a time employed as a fig leaf for the regime. But it has long been clear that this government is not interested in justice, only in power. Last week's general strike has been the latest manifestation of public dissatisfaction. Reports from the region indicate that security forces are violently suppressing efforts to demonstrate in the streets, using rubber clubs, rifle butts, water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition to disperse crowds, according to the Associated Press. Some 300 people have been arrested, including opposition parliamentarians. At this difficult time, it is important that the people of Zimbabwe know that the world is watching, and that like the Zimbabweans demanding change, the international community has not lost hope for the country.”