News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
AI Index: AFR 46/022/2004
12 August 2004
Zimbabwe: Southern African leaders must condemn human rights abuse
Amnesty International (AI) members in the southern African region have written to their leaders calling on them to
publicly and jointly condemn the Government of Zimbabwe for its violation of human rights.
Letters have been sent to Heads of State and Government attending the summit of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) in Mauritius on 16 August.
"The SADC treaty obliges member states to act in accordance with principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of
law, so the leaders of southern Africa have a special responsibility to respond to the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe.
Although Zimbabwe has been discussed at SADC summits for the last three years, there has been no improvement in the
human rights situation," the AI members said.
The letters denounce a series of grave human rights abuses in Zimbabwe including:
- Repressive laws that are used to criminalize peaceful gatherings, as well as shut down independent media outlets and
non-governmental organizations;
- Government moves to end international food aid distribution, despite independent warnings that millions of Zimbabweans
will need food aid in the coming year;
- Systematic Government attacks on the independence of judges and lawyers;
- Failure to investigate widespread allegations of torture and ill-treatment, including rape, committed by security
forces and "youth" militia.
"Evidence suggests that an escalation in repression in Zimbabwe is already underway ahead of parliamentary elections.
We are urging SADC leaders to use this summit to demonstrate their commitment to protect human rights and to hold
governments accountable in the SADC region," the AI members said.
Zimbabwe in the AI Report 2004:
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