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Fear for safety of thousands of residents of informal settlements
Amnesty International Canada
June 01, 2005

http://www.amnesty.ca/urgentaction/

Appeal to Zimbabwe government

suggested points to be made:

• express concern for the safety of people being forcibly evicted from informal settlements such as Hatcliffe Extension in northern Harare, informal market areas and street stalls, and at the use of force by police and security officers;
• call on the authorities to investigate the reported use of excessive force by members of the security forces and for this practice to be ended;
• call for an immediate end to all forced evictions;
• call for those forcibly evicted from their homes to be given immediate access to shelter, food, clean water and sanitation facilities, and for full compensation and reparation to be made for the loss of homes and property.

Send your appeals to:

The President:
His Excellency
The Honourable Robert G. Mugabe
Office of the President
Private Bag 7700
Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe
Fax: + 263 4 734 644

Salutation: Your Excellency

To the Minister for Home Affairs:
The Honourable Kembo Mohadi
Ministry of Home Affairs
Private Bag 505D
Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe
Fax: + 263 4 726 716

Background
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of thousands of informal street traders and residents of informal settlements across Zimbabwe who are being targeted for forcible eviction in a government operation called "Operation Murambatsvina" (meaning "drive out the rubbish", and referred to by the police as 'restore order').

"Operation Murambatsvina" reportedly aims to "clean up" urban areas and tackle illegal trade in foreign exchange. The evictions are being carried out without notice and without court orders. During the evictions, police and other members of the security forces are using excessive force, burning homes, destroying property and beating individuals. In at least one instance police reportedly forced people to destroy their own homes. Amnesty International believes that many more people are in danger of injury as the operation continues.

Since 18 May 2005, many thousands of people have been forcibly removed from informal market areas in Harare by the police. Similar police actions have taken place in across the country in Bulawayo, Mutare, Chitungwiza, Rusape, Murehwa, Gweru, Masvingo and Kadoma. Although the government has claimed that the traders are unlicensed, lawyers have said that many of those arrested last week had licences. The traders have been given no notice and their goods have been destroyed or confiscated. Many traders are alleged to have been beaten during the operation.

Public anger at the destruction of property and livelihoods has resulted in traders and residents of affected areas attacking police. In response, armed police and the armed forces have been sent into some areas to quell unrest, raising further concerns for the safety of the affected communities.

On the night of 26 May 2005, more than 10,000 people were forcibly driven from their homes in the informal settlement of Hatcliffe Extension in northern Harare. Police reportedly destroyed homes - leaving the settlement's families destitute and sleeping in the open. The government has reportedly threatened more evictions from squatter camps around Harare.

The Catholic Bishops in Zimbabwe have issued a letter declaring:

"Any claim to justify this operation in view of a desired orderly end becomes totally groundless in view of the cruel and inhumane means that have been used. People have a right to shelter and that has been deliberately destroyed in this operation without much warning. While we all desire orderliness, alternative accommodation and sources of income should have been identified and provided before the demolitions and stoppage of informal trading. We condemn the gross injustice done to the poor."

Different sites give news about the Zimbabwe situation:
http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/may22_2003.html
http://allafrica.com/humanrights/newswire/?n=6
http://www.salesians.org.za/newsletter-369.php
http://www.cisanews.org/
http://afjn.cua.edu/News/Zimbabwe%20religious%20superiors%20may%202003.cfm

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