12 March 2007
United States Condemns Crackdown on Zimbabwe Protesters
State Department calls for release of detained opposition leaders
Washington -- The government of Zimbabwe’s March 11 attack on opposition protesters in the Harare suburb of Highfield was “brutal and unwarranted,” the State Department said, calling for the immediate release of those detained and for medical treatment to be provided to the injured.
According to a March 11 statement by spokesman Sean McCormack, the protesters had gathered peacefully to “exercise their legitimate democratic rights at a prayer meeting” when they were attacked.
The U.S. Embassy in Harare reported that one person was killed, several were injured and more than 100 were arrested, including Movement for Democratic Change leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara and Lovemore Madhuku, who heads the National Constitutional Assembly.
The statement added that Zimbabwean police have refused to tell lawyers where those who have been arrested are being held. Subsequent press reports said Tsvangirai, Madhuku and at least four other opposition and civic leaders have been beaten and tortured.
McCormack said the United States is holding President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the government’s actions as well as for the safety and well-being of those being held in custody.
“We call for the immediate release of those detained, and for the provision of medical treatment for those injured,” McCormack said.
State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey expressed shock at the government’s actions, saying they were “absolutely uncalled for and unfortunately certainly representative of the repressive nature of the Mugabe government.”
Speaking to reporters March 13, Casey said the government is using “increasingly harsh treatment” especially against those wishing to express political views in opposition to Mugabe, and the March 11 crackdown is “unfortunately … just another example” of that.
Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980. Casey said over the last few years there has been an increase in repression, violence, threats and intimidation “against anyone who wants to stand in President Mugabe's way.”
The deputy spokesman called for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe “wherein the people in that country have a chance to choose their leaders.” But under current circumstances, he said, “it's hard to imagine … any election in which [Mugabe] is standing as a candidate or any election in which he and his current government are running could possibly meet international standards.”
For additional information on U.S. policies in Africa, see Democracy and Human Development.
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
