Harare (Fides Service)- Ever more concerning the situation in Zimbabwe since a serious political - social and economic crisis exploded at the beginning of 2000 when Robert Mugabe launched an accelerated agricultural reform to redistribute among the African majority land belonging to 4.500 European settlers. Last week the arrest of more than 100 trade unionists leaders and other civil society leaders brought protests and strong condemnation from the United Nations, Trade Unions and human rights organisations. Christians also voiced condemnation. In a declaration to CISA African news agency the Harare Ecumenical Working Group condemned the arrests and asked for the immediate release of those arrested because they were not guilty of any crime they were only ding their duty to defend workers: “We refuse any justification for the use of evil and repressive laws which suppress people’s fundamental God given rights”. The Zimbabwe National Pastors Conference also condemned the episode.
The members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions ZCTU were taken in custody while taking part in a demonstration calling for a reduction in taxes. According to the local press, 52 were released after a few hours but they will be tried on charges of organising an unauthorised political demonstration.
The Harare Ecumenical Group told CISA about the harsh living conditions of the people: “Both workers and the unemployed in Zimbabwe can no longer feed their families,” they said. “The cost of transport to and from work had become unaffordable. Access to the health delivery system has become an illusion for over 70% of the population because of a severe deterioration of such services and due to crippling rate of inflation now at 546%.”
(L.M.) (Fides Service 24/11/2003, lines 28 words 327)