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The repression and restriction of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association which puts into serious doubt Zimbabwe’s commitment to the rule of law manifests in the wanton disregard of court orders by the police and the shocking rise in the number of arrests and detentions of student leaders, teachers politicians and human rights activists, among them women and minors.

More than 200 people were arrested during the week beginning 13 February 2007 in blatant violations of basic human liberties guaranteed under Section 13 of the Zimbabwean Constitution notwithstanding the charters, conventions and declarations, notably the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a state party.

Some of the victims of the police actions were detained for more than the stipulated 48-hour period in filthy police cells as lawyers battled to gain access to the activists.

On 14 February 2007 riot police disrupted a march by representatives of the pressure group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), who were marching to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Eight women were arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station for breaching the peace under section 37 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. They were only released after paying admission of guilt fines.

A similar clampdown was launched in Bulawayo where 174 members of WOZA including some thirty four minors were arrested and detained beyond the prescribed 48-hour period.

Eleven student leaders of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) were arrested at Harare Polytechnic on 13 February 2007 during a meeting to plan for peaceful consultative meetings with their membership. According to the ZLHR it took the police 48 hours to charge eight of the students under the repealed sections of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (MOA). They paid admission of guilty fines which are contestable at law as the MOA was repealed by the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Similarly, Raymond Majongwe and Macdonald Mangauzani of the Progressive Teachers Union were arrested while holding consultative meetings with their members at Haig Park Primary School in Harare and detained overnight at Harare Central Police Station. They were only released after the intervention of lawyers from the ZLHR. Teachers have been on strike since 5 February 2007 demanding better working conditions and remunerations.

MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti and Glen View legislator Paul Madzore were arrested on 17 February 2007 for allegedly assaulting five policemen during street demonstrations in Harare the previous day. Biti, Madzore and seven other MDC members were only released on bail on 20 February 2007 on charges of public violence and remanded to 7 March 2007.

The demonstrations were staged to protest against the ever escalating cost of living which has seen inflation shoot to 1 600 percent pushing the prices of basic commodities beyond the reach of the ordinary citizen.

An estimated 31 people were reportedly injured and two admitted in hospital on 18 February 2007 in Highfield following clashes between armed riot police and supporters of the MDC after the police disrupted a court-sanctioned rally that the opposition party was scheduled to hold at Zimbabwe Grounds. In a blatant violation of fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association, the police have since imposed a three-month blanket ban on rallies and demonstrations under the repressive Public Order and Security Act (POSA) in the capital’s Harare South and Mbare districts.

As a freedom of expression and media freedom advocacy and lobby group, MISA-Zimbabwe unequivocally concurs with the voices of other civic rights groups, in calling upon the Zimbabwean government to uphold and respect the rights of citizens to express themselves freely and peacefully on issues that affect their rights and well-being and to cease the wanton arrests and detentions under spurious charges.

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