H.E. Honourable Patrick Chinamasa
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
28 October 2003
Your Excellency,
The World Council of Churches is deeply concerned at the deteriorating law and order situation in Zimbabwe. During the year 2003, there have been an unprecedented increase in incidents of police harassment and brutality against human rights defenders and members of the Judiciary. The most recent of such incidents took place on the night of 12th October, when Mrs Beatrice Mtetwa, a renowned human rights lawyer, was assaulted by the personnel of the Zimbabwe Republic Police stationed at Borrowdale police station. The security personnel have the duty and responsibility to protect the citizens of Zimbabwe.
The case of Mrs Mtetwa is not an isolated incident of police excesses. There have been several such incidents resulting in grave and serious human rights violations of human rights defenders. Others, whose human rights have been violated, include: Mr. Gabriel Shumba (January 2003), Justice Benjamin Paradza (February 2003), Mr. Alec Muchadehama (March 2003), Mr. Reginal Chidawanyika (June 2003), and Mr. Dumisani Kufaruwenga and Mpokiseng Dube (August 2003).
The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches which met in Geneva last August/September 2003, was aware of the gravity of this situation when it made the following observation: "We share the pain and suffering of the people of Zimbabwe as a result of escalating violence and repression of fundamental human rights by the state and groups encouraged and supported by the government. The violence, intimidation, unlawful arrest and torture perpetrated by the police, ruling party militia and other state agents must come to an end."
On behalf of the World Council of Churches, I call on Your Excellency to order an immediate enquiry into the case of Mrs Mtetwa and others who have been the subject of police brutality, and ensure that justice is done to them. Those responsible for such reprehensible acts must be brought before the court of law for trial.
We urge your government to take immediate steps to restore the rule of law and put an end to arbitrary arrests, torture and killings.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Weiderud
Director
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
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