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SASU statement on the arrests and torture of Zimbabwean students
Southern African Students Union (SASU)
October 28, 2003

The Southern African Students Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrests,tortute and continued unlawful detention of students and Zimbabwe National Students Union members at the University of Zimbabwe on Monday the 27th of October 2003.

Heavily armed Police descended on thousands of protesting students and arrested 18 students leaders before attempting to set fire on their rooms of residence.

The students were protesting against unprecedented transport fare increases and the general poverty that has engulfed Zimbabwe.

The heavy handedness and excitement with which the Zimbabwe Republic Police handled the demonstration shows the level of desperation that the Zimbabwean regime has sunk to.

This unfortunate development is worrying to the students in the SADC region given that the education system in Zimbabwe has sunk to the lowest standards in the region. This has dangers of affecting the education systems of other member countries.

Meanwhile SASU demands the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested students and urges the Zimbabwean Authorities to immediately stop arbitrary arrests on innocent students.
This unbecoming behavior by the Government and the police is not only against the SADC protocol on education, but violets the United Nations Charter on Human Rights.

Fidas Muchemwa
SASU Secretary General,
South Africa

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