Gordon Brown today shamed his fellow G8 leaders into backing tough sanctions against Zimbabwe after showing them a photograph of the mutilated body of an opponent of Robert Mugabe.
The prime minister said the unwillingness of the "whole international community to accept an illegitimate government" was demonstrated by the agreement to send a UN special envoy to Harare, in addition to endorsing "financial and other measures against those responsible for violence".
The backing for Britain's tough stance came after Brown handed photographs of the charred body of a member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Joshua Bakacheza, to G8 and African leaders attending the three days of talks in Hokkaido, Japan.
A Downing Street source said: "Joshua is just one of the many innocent people murdered by Mugabe's thugs in recent weeks, but by highlighting the way he was brutally murdered while helping a widow and her children, the prime minister was telling other world leaders that this is a tragedy which is going on right now as they sit talking, and every day we wait to act more innocent people will suffer."
The G8 decision brings Russia onside for UN action against Mugabe's regime and rules out the possibility of Moscow using its veto to block action at the security council in New York in the next few days. If agreed, sanctions would be imposed worldwide on Mugabe and 11 other government officials, leading to the freezing of all their overseas assets and a total ban on travelling abroad.
The appointment of a UN special envoy and the call for sanctions is a direct snub to the African Union, which has largely supported the monopoly of the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, in mediating the dispute between Mugabe and the MDC. Britain has lost patience with Mbeki's ineffective diplomacy, however.
Brown said: "I believe we have got to say they are illegitimate regime because of the way they are holding power without an election that is seen as free and fair to anyone. I think Africa now sees what is happening in Zimbabwe is damaging the credibility of Africa as a whole, and there is a willingness to discuss these issues.
"It is unfair to say that Africa thinks the world should have no view on this matter. They accept that it is damaging to the whole credibility of Africa, and to its reputation."
British officials said African leaders could not expect to ask for massive donor aid, and then not face pressure to clear up human rights abuses on the continent.
Bakacheza was helping the widow of a murdered MDC activist when they were stopped on June 25 by three unmarked trucks and seized by 16 men armed with AK-47 rifles.
They were taken to a farm in Beatrice where he was questioned about his involvement in the MDC before being shot three times. Another MDC activist, Tendai Chidziwo, was also shot but survived. He gave information about where Bakacheza's body could be found.
The G8 expressed "grave concern" about events in Zimbabwe. "We deplore the fact that the Zimbabwean authorities pressed ahead with the presidential election despite the absence of appropriate conditions for free and fair voting as a result of their systematic violence, obstruction and intimidation. We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people."
In its statement, the G8 said it "strongly urged the Zimbabwean authorities to work with the opposition to achieve a prompt, peaceful resolution of the crisis. The mediation process should respect the results of the March 29 election, which showed that Mugabe came second in the presidential race to the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai."
Let's take a look at just some of the victims of the reign of terror unleashed by Mugabe. Many of the beatings, practised on the old, infirm and children alike, are conducted mercilessly...
Then there is the violence that is perpetrated against the people.
Whipped at the vigil in a bid, he was told, to teach him how to vote "correctly", Just one of thousands of rural dwellers terrorised by Zimbabwe’s feared war veterans and youth militia.
Mugabe's reprisal attacks under the codename Operation Mavhoterapapi (Where you put your 'X') Tortured with burning plastic.
A torture victim is given treatment for his burns in a hospital in Harare,
Zimbabwe. He was set on fire by suspected ZANU PF militia.
Another MDC burn victim
This is the 'new' Zimbabwe that Mugabe is bringing to the people. This is the 'democracy' that he claims he 'taught the British, through the barrel of a gun'
The photo is of a man from the Mudzi area, Mashonaland East who was brutally beaten on the buttocks by Zanu PF militia for being an MDC supporter. This occurred on Apr 14. This photo gives you an idea of how severe the beating was, and what happens when medical treatment is denied.
Memory, the 22 year old mother of two beaten at her home for allegedly supporting the MDC Four men held down her arms and legs, while a fifth gripped her head, placing his hands over her mouth to prevent her screams being heard. Two others, wielding heavy wooden poles, then took turns to thrash her on the buttocks in a beating that lasted half an hour. The wounds on her buttocks not a pretty sight.
A policeman stands next to the charred body of an MDC staffer burnt to death at the Zaka MDC offices by ZANU PF militia.
"Gukurahundi By Any Other Name" - one of the victims slain in the post-election violence." I will not apologise for publishing this photograph.This man was beaten to death by ZANU PF sympathisers.
Once again, I will not apologise for this. I feel obliged to publish these photographs. They depict a victim of the post-election violence. This man was virtually burned beyond recognition in Zaka (Masvingo province) by an Army hit squad.. They were in their MDC office when the Army petrol- bombed it. The photographs are very graphic... 
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