OutRage! campaigner Peter Tatchell has received a death threat in response to his attempted citizen's arrest of the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, on charges of torture and the abuse of gay human rights.
The death threat appears to originate from Zimbabweans, as it is headed with the national colours of Zimbabwe.
It was posted from within Britain and included Mr Tatchell's full home address and postcode. The letter arrived in the post on Saturday 20 November.
Mr Tatchell had earlier been tipped off that Mugabe's agents in Britain may try to kill him in revenge for his citizen's arrest of the President.
The death threat refers to President Mugabe and goes on to say:
"were (sic) out to get you, and stab your filthy queer body to death...DEATH
TO ALL HOMOSEXUALS. Now run to the Gay police and beg for protection,
because your (sic) going to need it".
The death threat has been reported to Southwark police, who are now mounting an investigation and advising Mr Tatchell on enhanced security precautions at his already heavily fortified flat in south London.
The death threat was initially reported to PCs Quinton 444 and Denley 977 at
Southwark Police Station in Borough High Street (020-737.8.12.12). Mr
Tatchell's safety and protection is being handled by WPC Frost at
Rotherhithe Police Station (020-72.32.68.42).
Add your voice to the protest
To add your voice of protest, email the Zimbabwe Embassy (in Washington D.C.): |
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Zimbabwe Human Rights Practices -- U.S. Department of State, March-1996
Violence at the Zimbabwe Book Fair -- AFP, 03-August-1996
GALZ, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe -- further background information
Link to American Psychological Association
BBC: Tatchell calls for rights probe into Mugabe 19-November-1999
Independent: Zimbabwe rejected by Commonwealth human rights body 16-November-1999
Independent: Queen embroiled in Mugabe apology row 10-November-1999
BBC: Mugabe: UK set 'gay gangsters' on me 7-November-1999
BBC: Mugabe slams Blair's 'gangster gays' 7-November-1999
BBC: Zimbabwe protests gay attack on Mugabe 3-November-1999
BBC: Zimbabwe: the problems of progress 12-August-1998
BBC: Zimbabwe: Homosexual and hated 13-August-1998
BBC: Banana trial ends 24-June-1998
BBC: Journalists released for UK treatment 3-March-1999
BBC: Mugabe refuses to condemn torture 8-February-1999
BBC: Doctor backs up torture allegations 28-January-1999
BBC: Police disperse Zimbabwe protest 26-January-1999
BBC: Torture Ordeal 22-January-1999
BBC: Detained Zimbabwe journalists 'beaten' 21-January-1999
BBC: Mark Chavunduka arrested 12-January-1999
BBC: South Africa court decriminalises homosexuality 9-October-1998
BBC: President Museveni of Uganda 29-September-1999
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