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The continued infringement on citizen's rights to freedom of expression
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
November 21, 2003

MISA-Zimbabwe expresses its deep concern over the arrest of citizens who chose to peacefully demonstrate their concern over the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe The latest incident is the arrest of 51 civic leaders on Tuesday November 18 whose peaceful march was disrupted by riot police within minutes of them taking to the streets. In the process a photographer covering the event was severely beaten and sustained serious injuries.

In Bulawayo the police teargassed peaceful marchers and arrested many. The arrests and detention took place without any clear charges being preferred.
Despite continued assurances made by the Zimbabwe government to regional leaders and the international community that there are no human rights violations in Zimbabwe, the arrests, beating up and continued detention of peaceful marchers contradict such assurances.

The brutal crushing of the demonstration was unwarranted as this was a peaceful demonstration in response to the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe. Civic leaders held the march to show solidarity with workers affiliated to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. As has become the tradition, the peaceful marchers were arrested, beaten up and detained for days without charges preferred. Some of them were even released after two days and told to report back to the police to be charged. Such actions by the police leave no room for any alternative voices to be heard and infact constitute the worst form of oppression being perpetrated on the people of Zimbabwe.

MISA-Zimbabwe notes with concern that among the arrested civic leaders were 7 women who were not allowed access to sanitary products while in detention. This treatment shows the insensitivity of the authorities and is infact a serious violation of human rights.

The Zimbabwe constitution adequately addresses and guarantees the right of individuals or organisations to free expression as long as they do not interfere with the rights of others. The police however have over the past two years made it a policy that no demonstration or marches by those perceived to be opposed to the government are allowed to take place. The arrest of the civic leaders is but one example of the abuse of the laws that Zimbabwe has witnessed for a long time.

MISA-Zimbabwe calls on the police to respect the right of citizens to demonstrate and express themselves as guaranteed in the Zimbabwe constitution. We further add our weight to calls for POSA and AIPPA to be repealed. Apart from oppressing critical voices these laws have not made any positive impact in the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.

For more information:
Rashweat Mukundu
Research and Information Officer

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