Thread by @ZLHRLawyers

#TodayInZLHRHistory: On 14 March 2007, @ZLHRLawyers condemned the continued harassment of @ZctuZimbabwe leaders & assault of its staff by @PoliceZimbabwe.
#ZLHRat25
#ZLHRDefendingRightsFor25Years #ZLHRFosteringACultureOfHumanRights

The statement was issued after 7 ZRP officers led by Assistant Inspector Chimimba on 13 March 2007 stormed into ZCTU offices with a search warrant allowing them to search for & seize all "subversive materials" found on the premises.

2 ZLHR lawyers, who attended at ZCTU offices, found the ZRP officers going through the offices of the ZCTU, having detained ZCTU staff & visitors inside the offices. Four boxes containing some ZCTU fliers had already been seized.

The fliers highlighted that workers were being subjected to a minimum wage of Z$90 000/month compared to the astronomical PDL of Z$668 000. The flier further highlighted the non-availability & inaccessibility of ARVs for workers yet AIDS levy contributions are deducted from them

ZCTU in its capacity as a legitimate body had called for a "STAY AT HOME" action from 3-4 April 2007. ZLHR said it believes that it is the right & duty of ZCTU to represent concerns of its members & workers & help express such concerns in a peaceful manner, including stay-aways.

For such a right to be violated, restricted, frustrated & undermined by wide & vague laws allowing for the State to unilaterally seize & view fliers as "subversive materials" is not reasonably justifiable in a democracy.

ZLHR condemned the assault of ZCTU officers Gilbert Marembo&Michael Kandukuti by ZRP with open palms across their faces. When ZLHR lawyers questioned the 2 about the assault they were threatened with home visits by ZRP who warned them not to show off in presence of their lawyers