Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HARARE1433
2006-12-01 10:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
WOMEN'S RIGHTS MARCHERS ARRESTED, ASSAULTED
VZCZCXRO3610 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSB #1433 3351029 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011029Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0888 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1395 RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 1249 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1399 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0133 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0660 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 1025 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1453 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3838 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1222 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1875 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUFGNOA/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1615
UNCLAS HARARE 001433
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S RIGHTS MARCHERS ARRESTED, ASSAULTED
UNCLAS HARARE 001433
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S RIGHTS MARCHERS ARRESTED, ASSAULTED
1. (SBU) Police in Bulawayo brutally suppressed a
demonstration of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) on Wednesday,
November 29 as the women's rights group launched their
"People's Charter," a demand for social justice and
affordable basic services. According to WOZA, more than 70
women were arrested; many suffered injuries, including
several babies and an elderly woman. Police ultimately
detained 40 WOZA members at the central police station; they
were scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Access to
lawyers and medical attention has reportedly been restricted.
Embassy recommends the Department issue a statement
condemning the Zimbabwean government,s actions (see proposed
text in paragraph 4).
--------------
A Peaceful Demonstration Turns into Mayhem
--------------
2. (U) According to WOZA, the demonstration began with 200
WOZA members in Bulawayo's city center. They began to read
aloud from the "People's Charter," a document that seeks to
hold government officials accountable for providing access to
affordable education, housing, medical services, and other
basic needs. Witnesses reported that a group of 30 police in
riot gear moved into the crowd and began beating people at
random. A stampede to escape ensued, during which three
babies were reported to have been injured (one suffering a
broken leg) and an elderly woman received a severe compound
fracture of her ankle.
3. (U) Police reportedly took 51 demonstrators to a nearby
police camp where they were beaten and then released.
Another 40 WOZA members, including six babies, have been held
for two days at the central police station where access to
legal assistance and medical attention was restricted. Those
arrested were to appear before a magistrate in Bulawayo on
Friday on charges under the Criminal Law Act of disturbing
the peace and participating in a public gathering with the
intention of causing public disorder.
--------------
Proposed Statement
--------------
4. (SBU) Embassy recommends that Washington issue a statement
condemning GOZ actions in suppressing the demonstration.
Proposed text follows:
On November 29, Zimbabwean police used violence to breakup a
peaceful demonstration of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and
to arrest more than 40 WOZA members. The United States
condemns the Zimbabwean government,s brutal reaction to this
peaceful effort of Zimbabwean citizens to exercise their
rights. We call for the immediate release of those still
detained, for access to legal assistance, and for access to
medical treatment for those who were injured.
DELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S RIGHTS MARCHERS ARRESTED, ASSAULTED
1. (SBU) Police in Bulawayo brutally suppressed a
demonstration of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) on Wednesday,
November 29 as the women's rights group launched their
"People's Charter," a demand for social justice and
affordable basic services. According to WOZA, more than 70
women were arrested; many suffered injuries, including
several babies and an elderly woman. Police ultimately
detained 40 WOZA members at the central police station; they
were scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Access to
lawyers and medical attention has reportedly been restricted.
Embassy recommends the Department issue a statement
condemning the Zimbabwean government,s actions (see proposed
text in paragraph 4).
--------------
A Peaceful Demonstration Turns into Mayhem
--------------
2. (U) According to WOZA, the demonstration began with 200
WOZA members in Bulawayo's city center. They began to read
aloud from the "People's Charter," a document that seeks to
hold government officials accountable for providing access to
affordable education, housing, medical services, and other
basic needs. Witnesses reported that a group of 30 police in
riot gear moved into the crowd and began beating people at
random. A stampede to escape ensued, during which three
babies were reported to have been injured (one suffering a
broken leg) and an elderly woman received a severe compound
fracture of her ankle.
3. (U) Police reportedly took 51 demonstrators to a nearby
police camp where they were beaten and then released.
Another 40 WOZA members, including six babies, have been held
for two days at the central police station where access to
legal assistance and medical attention was restricted. Those
arrested were to appear before a magistrate in Bulawayo on
Friday on charges under the Criminal Law Act of disturbing
the peace and participating in a public gathering with the
intention of causing public disorder.
--------------
Proposed Statement
--------------
4. (SBU) Embassy recommends that Washington issue a statement
condemning GOZ actions in suppressing the demonstration.
Proposed text follows:
On November 29, Zimbabwean police used violence to breakup a
peaceful demonstration of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and
to arrest more than 40 WOZA members. The United States
condemns the Zimbabwean government,s brutal reaction to this
peaceful effort of Zimbabwean citizens to exercise their
rights. We call for the immediate release of those still
detained, for access to legal assistance, and for access to
medical treatment for those who were injured.
DELL