HUNDREDS of civil society activists in Harare resisted police attempts Friday to stop an unsanctioned demonstration at the South African Emb...
HUNDREDS of civil society activists in Harare resisted police attempts Friday to stop an unsanctioned demonstration at the South African Embassy against xenophobic attacks in that country.
Anti-riot police swamped the South African embassy shortly after the people had gathered to hand over their petition to the ambassador.
They (police) demanded a police clearance letter from the organizers of the peaceful demonstration as required by the country’s old laws.
But the angry crowd hit back at the law enforcement agents telling them there was no need for police authority to “tell South Africa that they must stop killing our relatives”.
The police later retreated and allowed the crowd to register their concerns.
However, Amnesty International said police beat up some of the protesters.
The organization called on the government to conduct an immediate, full, transparent and impartial investigation after dozens of police were captured on video beating up human rights activist Sydney Chisi with batons.
“The brutal beating of Sydney Chisi by anti-riot police is abhorrent. It is against international standards on policing of peaceful demonstrations. This must stop,” said Noel Kututwa, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa.
Chisi, who was one of scores of protesters demonstrating outside the embassy, was admitted in hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the beating. Several other protesters were also injured.
“The unjustified attack on peaceful protesters today is one of many incidents where Zimbabwean police have shown total disregard for people’s human rights.
“The right to peacefully demonstrate and petition is enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as well as regional and international treaties to which Zimbabwe is a state party.
“The government must do everything in its power to bring suspected perpetrators to book,” said Noel Kututwa.
South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela did not come out to address the demonstrators who later left the petition with the embassy’s security guards.
Anti-riot police swamped the South African embassy shortly after the people had gathered to hand over their petition to the ambassador.
They (police) demanded a police clearance letter from the organizers of the peaceful demonstration as required by the country’s old laws.
But the angry crowd hit back at the law enforcement agents telling them there was no need for police authority to “tell South Africa that they must stop killing our relatives”.
 |
| Police beat up Harare xenophobia demonstrators. |
However, Amnesty International said police beat up some of the protesters.
The organization called on the government to conduct an immediate, full, transparent and impartial investigation after dozens of police were captured on video beating up human rights activist Sydney Chisi with batons.
“The brutal beating of Sydney Chisi by anti-riot police is abhorrent. It is against international standards on policing of peaceful demonstrations. This must stop,” said Noel Kututwa, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa.
Chisi, who was one of scores of protesters demonstrating outside the embassy, was admitted in hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the beating. Several other protesters were also injured.
“The unjustified attack on peaceful protesters today is one of many incidents where Zimbabwean police have shown total disregard for people’s human rights.
 |
| Police beat up Harare xenophobia demonstrators. |
“The government must do everything in its power to bring suspected perpetrators to book,” said Noel Kututwa.
South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela did not come out to address the demonstrators who later left the petition with the embassy’s security guards.
 |
| Police beat up Harare xenophobia demonstrators. |
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