Maravi

UN condemns detention of Zim opposition leaders

UN condemns detention of Zim opposition leaders
By Nomusa Michelo
Wednesday March 14, 2007 [02:00]

UNITED Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the detention of opposition political leaders in Zimbabwe by police over the weekend following a foiled public rally. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban condemned the reported beating of the leaders and called on the Zimbabwean government to release the detainees. "Such actions violate the basic democratic right of citizens to engage in peaceful assembly," Ban said.

He urged the government of Zimbabwe to release the detained and to guarantee their safety and condemned the beating of the leaders in police custody. Ban also called on the authorities to allow peaceful assembly and to provide a space for the exercise of legitimate political rights. Police arrested Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and other opposition officials after blocking their motor convoy from driving to the rally site over the weekend. According to MDC spokesperson Hebson Makuvise who spoke to the BBC, Tsvangirai was arrested on Sunday and was beaten unconscious and could hardly walk or open his eyes.

Labels: UN, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:55 AM