Thread: Libya vs. Zimbabwe - Western double standards?

Isn't it just interesting how countries like the UK twist and turn when it comes to fundamental issues and values such as human rights, democracy, freedom, the rule of law.......

Let me explain: Not for a moment do I condone what happened and continues to happen in Zimbabwe. I have consistently argued that Mugabe and the corrupt ZANU-PF regime have ruined what was once the breadbasket of Africa. Zimbabweans are
neither free nor is the government country democratic, nor law-abiding. For most Zimbabweans life is a continuous cycle of suffering and poverty under Mugabe. I continue to support the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe until certified free and fair elections provide a real expression of the will of the people, not the fraud that was perpetuated last year. And the British government does so, too, I gather.

But what about Libya? How is Libya more democratic, free and law-abiding than Zimbabwe when we all know that the Gadhafi regime fits into EXACTLY the same category as the Mugabe regime? We all know political oppsotion is neither allowed, nor tolerated in Libya? We all know critics of the regime are languishing in jail, and a free press does not exist.

Yet British government members are falling over each other to appease Gadhafi and build a special relationship with the country.

Far from being the great defenders of all and everything democratic and free the British are looking the other way for one simple reason: Oil - and more oil and business. Simple as that. Witness the recent release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi in a prisoner transfer deal with Libya because of "overwhelming interests" before an oil deal was sealed with Tripoli.

The moral of the story? Let's not put too much trust and confidence in the British government to stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights around the world. We will have to do so ourselves, and in a way that is good, The British - and other western Governments - is simply not principled about these matters. What we can trust and have confidence in is that they will look the other way if their own "overwhelming national interest" dictates so. Has it ever been any different? No, but they parade around the world like as if they are principled about these matters and lecture us on freedom and democracy and justice.

It's getting farcical - I'm sure they've noticed themselves.