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Arrest of ZCTU and other representatives from Civil Society
Harare Ecumenical Working Group
November 20, 2003

Both workers and the unemployed in Zimbabwe can no longer feed their families. The cost of transport to and from work had become unaffordable. Access to the health delivery system has become an illusion for over 70%of the population because of a severe deterioration of such services and due to crippling rate of inflation now at 546%

Given this scenario, workers, the unemployed and civic groups are justified in experiencing their God given right to express their deep anxiety about the current socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

Trade Unions the world over have a role to protect workers and to ensure that workers live and work in an environment that respects and protects their right to a living wage and disposable incomes. The ZCTU Leaders were therefore simply experiencing their legitimate role. The rest of ZCTU and other leaders of civic group on Tuesday 18th of November2003 was completely unjustified and must be condemned.

We do not accept any justification for the use of unjust and repressive laws to suppress people's God-given fundamental rights.

We therefore demand the immediate release of all Trade Union and civic leaders from detention.

Harare Ecumenical Working Group
P.O.Box 1524
Harare
Tel: 703474/738920

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