Back to Index

NUS and ACTSA speak out for students in Zimbabwe
NUS/ACTSA
October 21, 2008

The National Union of Students (NUS) with the support of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) today called for an end to the ongoing violence against students in Zimbabwe. Students were last week subjected to a reign of terror by police forces following a peaceful demonstration by 500 students outside the Parliament building in Harare.

Clever Bere, the President of ZINASU was amongst five students beaten and arrested during the protest, which has been organised to highlight the desperate state of the education system in Zimbabwe.

Wes Streeting, NUS President said:

"It is clear from the aggression exhibited this week against students in Zimbabwe that the power sharing deal has not led to an end to violence. NUS urges the international community not to divert attention away from the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe".

"We were honoured that Clever Bere, the ZINASU President was able to visit the UK last month as a guest of NUS. Following our discussions, I continue to be extremely concerned about the welfare of students in Zimbabwe."

In September, the President of the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe, Takavafira Zhou, was illegally arrested and held in solitary confinement for four days without charge before finally being released.

Schools and colleges are in a desperate state while the country's universities are yet to open two months after the initial opening day, with most of them having to postpone at least three times.

Tony Dykes, ACTSA Director said:

"Young people in Zimbabwe are being starved of education due to the failed policies of a government which has no legitimacy and continues to abuse human rights. We indicated hope with caution for the negotiated agreement between political parties. It is vital there be the right and freedom to organise and demonstrate as well as receive an education. We very much hope the SADC mediation can break the deadlock and that the wishes of the Zimbabwean people can be heard and acted on."

NUS and ACTSA will hand in the ZINASU memorandum to the Embassy of Zimbabwe in London on at 12pm on Friday 24th October and are encouraging students in the UK to sign an petition calling on the Zimbabwean government to cease the use of aggressive force, and drop the charges placed on the students involved.

To sign the petition visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nussupportszinasu/

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP