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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Strikes and Protests 2007- Save Zimbabwe Campaign
MISA
statement on the violent dispersement of peaceful demonstrators
MISA-Zimbabwe
March 16, 2007
View Save Zimbabwe
Campaign index
of images and articles
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is dismayed and
horrified at the brutality displayed by the Zimbabwean government
during the violent dispersement of peaceful demonstrators on Sunday,
March 11, 2007. This action constitutes a most brutal attack on
fundamental rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly
witnessed in our region, Southern Africa, in many years.
MISA
has closely monitored developments since Sunday, March 11, and is
further appalled at the ease with which authorities defy the law
and observance of basic human rights. Events began with the arrest
of the journalists and political leaders on March 11, 2007. Following
this, police defied at least three High Court orders to allow lawyers
access to the detained persons and allow medical practitioners access
to the brutally assaulted detainees, as well as to bring the accused
persons to the High Court by 08h00 on March 13, 2007.
The events that
have transpired in Zimbabwe signal a frightening turn in the political
development of our region, especially in light of the deafening
silence of our governments and political leaders. Does their silence
mean they condone the actions of the Zimbabwean government? We demand
clarity and intervention from our governments; intervention aimed
to restore the dignity of a people to whom the rest of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) region has often looked to
for guidance and solace in their times of political struggle.
MISA appeals
to the SADC Secretariat, international community, SADC citizens
and civil society to strongly condemn this violence and the lack
of respect for human rights. We also appeal to the media, whether
state-controlled or independent, to vigorously report on the situation
in Zimbabwe and break this silence.
At this time
we stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe and its people.
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