The month of August was characterised by a fairly low number of civic activities as compared to the previous month. However, a number of human rights violations took place and were reported to us. Police arrested about 153 activists from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) in Bulawayo following a procession to protest the introduction and implementation of the Monetary Policy by the Reserve Bank Governor.
Of the activists arrested, 13 were breastfeeding, 26 were juveniles, and 1 was on Anti-Retroviral Therapy. The activists were taken to five different holding places which are Bulawayo Central, Sauertown, Mzilikazi, Queens Park and Barbourfields Police Stations. It is reported that some of the juveniles complained of beatings from the police.
The Human Rights Forum would like to urge the responsible authorities to protect the freedoms of association and expression as well as the right to demonstrate as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other international human rights instruments.
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