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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Strikes and Protests 2007- Save Zimbabwe Campaign
Statement
on recent brutal attacks on civil society in Zimbabwe
Botswana Civil Society Coalition (BOCISCOZ)
March 15, 2007
View Save Zimbabwe
Campaign index
of images and articles
We, BOCISCOZ, comprising The Botswana Council of Churches (BCC),
The Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO),
The Botswana Secondary Teachers Trade Union (BOSETU), DITSHWANELO
- The Botswana Centre for Human Rights and The Media Institute of
Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana Chapter wish to condemn, in the
strongest terms, the brutal attack on unarmed civilians in Zimbabwe
during a prayer service on Sunday 11 March 2007.
We are deeply
concerned about the use of the Zimbabwean police in ways which are
reminiscent of the methods used by the apartheid regime in South
Africa.
BOCISCOZ does
however commend the condemnation expressed by Botswana parliamentarians,
of the continued collective silence by SADC, in keeping with the
blind policy of 'silent diplomacy' on the issue of Zimbabwe.
We further call
upon our Parliament to continue speaking out against the escalating
violations of human rights in Zimbabwe.
We are not convinced
that the use of repressive laws to justify the prevention of the
gathering of civic associations is acceptable behaviour for a government
which calls itself democratic.
As in the past,
we continue to call for the rule of law, as opposed to 'rule
by law'. We also repeat our call upon fellow Batswana to create
a movement to provide solidarity with the citizens of Zimbabwe.
BOCISCOZ pledges to be part of a sustained civil society movement
until there is positive change in Zimbabwe.
BOCISCOZ seeks
to applaud civil society activists in Zimbabwe and the very courageous
acts of those seeking peace, who were attacked by the police.
We call upon
the international community to call for a full investigation by
the Government of Zimbabwe of the fatal shooting of Gift Tandare
during the recent attacks.
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