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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Violations
of freedoms fundamental for political participation escalate
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
June 07, 2008
Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights (ZLHR) has noted the recent incidents in which one
of the two candidates in the upcoming 27 June 2008 presidential
election run-off, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC), has effectively been denied his fundamental rights
which would allow him to freely campaign.
On the afternoon
of 4 June 2008 Tsvangirai, his Deputy (Thokozani Khupe), the MDC
National Chairperson (Lovemore Moyo) and other members of his entourage
were detained
in Lupane, whilst on their way to Tsholotsho. At the same time,
around 15 more individuals were taken and held at Sipepa police
station. Lawyers who attended at Lupane police station witnessed
a number of road blocks on their way from Bulawayo, and an intimidating
presence of soldiers in army trucks surrounding the police station.
The entire entourage was eventually released at around midnight,
after over seven hours of interrogation, purportedly in relation
to charges under the Public
Order and Security Act (POSA) for an alleged failure to notify
police authorities of intended rallies.
Two days later, Tsvangirai
was again stopped at a roadblock and transferred to Esigodini police
station. He and several other individuals were detained there for
over two hours before being released without charge. They were warned
not to proceed with their schedule and forced to return to Bulawayo.
Police had also previously
denied the MDC permission to hold rallies in Hwange, Victoria Falls,
Tsholotsho, Lupane and Plumtree, as well as several areas in Harare.
Following the two detentions, police have allegedly told Tsvangirai
that all MDC rallies have been banned indefinitely, and this is
being done for his safety. They have also since defied a court order
overturning the ban and instructing that the rallies be allowed
to proceed.
ZLHR unreservedly
condemns these intensified violations of fundamental freedoms of
movement, assembly, association and expression, as well as the contempt
of court orders, which all contribute to the overall denial to the
constitutional right to political participation. This is compounded
by the abuse of repressive security legislation which continues
to be selectively applied in order to repress and intimidate legitimate
political party office-bearers, members and supporters of the MDC.
Law enforcement agents are obliged to respect the Constitution
of Zimbabwe, and ensure the promotion and protection of the
fundamental rights outlined therein. They have an obligation to
provide enhanced protection and security to a presidential candidate
whose life has been threatened, but should do so in a way which
allows him and those within his party to enjoy their other fundamental
rights which are essential to the holding of a free and fair election.
Visit the ZLHR
fact
sheet
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