Amnesty calls for rigorous action by Commonwealth

Amnesty International has called on the Commonwealth to take "rigorous action" against Zimbabwe's "repressive" regime. Amnesty said supporters and officials of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the independent media, church leaders and human rights defenders continue to be subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment by the Zimbabwean authorities. Noting that Monday 10 March was Commonwealth Day, Amnesty urged the Commonwealth to "clearly signal to the government of Zimbabwe that these acts are in clear violation of the human rights principles enshrined in the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration". The rights group added that "since the start of 2003, politically motivated violence has intensified largely linked to state efforts to silence dissent prior to scheduled World Cup cricket matches and in the run up to parliamentary by-elections in Kuwadzana and Highfield, two high density suburbs outside of Harare". With parliamentary by-elections scheduled to take place on 29-30 March, "MDC members of parliament, opposition officials and supporters are being subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrest and torture by government authorities and militia," Amnesty alleged. The rights group listed several such incidents: "On 2 March, up to 72 MDC supporters were arrested on their way back from a rally addressed by MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai, in Harare. They were taken to several police stations where they were assaulted and beaten by police before they were later released. "On the same day, Nelson Chamisa, the MDC candidate for Kuwadzana, was arrested by the police along with 10 MDC supporters, while distributing pamphlets ahead of the parliamentary by-elections in Kuwadzana. All were released on the same day but were prevented by police from carrying out door-to-door canvassing." While on 28 February, 23 church leaders were arrested by the police when they tried to deliver a petition to the police calling for an end to police violations of human rights. They were released after several hours without being charged. "The Commonwealth should send a strong and clear message that the worsening situation in Zimbabwe cannot be ignored and that the Zimbabwean authorities should not allow human rights to be violated with impunity. The Commonwealth should take all necessary steps to ensure that the Zimbabwean authorities live up to their responsibilities under the Harare Commonwealth Declaration," Amnesty added.