A section of the diplomatic community has on Tuesday condemned in strongest terms the brutality directed to citizens by police in the MDC August 16 ‘Free Zimbabwe’ protests, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
Ambassadors from the European Union, United States of America and Canada have come guns blazing about the developments.
In a joint statement , the heads of delegations described the physical and psychological attack on human rights activists, trade unions and opposition leaders as uncalled for.
“Intimidation, harassment and physical attacks on human rights defenders, trade union and civil society representatives, and opposition politicians – prior to, during and following the demonstration in Harare on 16 August – are cause for great concern,“ read part of the statement.
The statement said the right to personal security from violence as well as protection from torture was guaranteed by the Zimbabwean Constitution therefore state operators were obligated to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The Zimbabwean Constitution guarantees
the right to personal security from violence and prohibits physical or
psychological torture. The Heads of Mission urge the authorities to respect
these fundamental rights, and to hold perpetrators of violence legally
responsible.”
The statement urged government authorities to respect the people’s right to protests as enshrined in the constitution, whilst the opposition to restrain from vandalising property.
“The Heads of Mission call on the authorities to respect the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression as well as to peaceful protest, and urge all
political party leaders and supporters to abstain from threats and incitement
to violence as well as acts of violence or vandalism.”
The call to respect the right to protest comes at a time where police and the courts have banned the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) planned protests that were scheduled for Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru since Friday.
The message further encouraged police not to use lethal force in maintaining order.
“The security forces must adhere to their Constitutional mandate and exercise restraint and proportionality while maintaining public order.”
The message further said the police brutality might taint a dark picture on the government’s quest to re -engage with the international community.
“Only by addressing concretely and rapidly these human rights violations will the Government of Zimbabwe give credibility to its commitments to address longstanding governance challenges. The Heads of Mission reiterate their calls for the implementation of the government’s political and economic reform agenda, underpinned by inclusive national dialogue and increased efforts to address the severe social situation,” read part of the statement.
Analyst Eldred Masunungure said the police brutality has
already tainted a dark stain on the government’s reengagement crusade.
Speaking to this publication Masunungure said
“The police brutality and protest ban is a dark stain on the reengagement crusade and there is no doubt their image is now tainted”
