Zimbabwe: Attack by the police The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case ZWE 131196 The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your intervention in the following situation in Zimbabwe. Brief description of the situation : ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions), a member of the network, has expressed its grave concern over the savage attack, by the Zimbabwe police, of a group of trade unionists peacefully gathered in solidarity with striking doctors and nu rses. According to information received, a group of about 100 workers was seated near the Ministry of Justice listening to trade union leaders when some 50 police agents began firing tear gas grenades. As the unionists fled, many were beaten when the police cha rged with clubs. Several trade union leaders, including the Zimbabwe Confederation of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Mr Morgan Tsvangirayi, were briefly arrested and questioned at police headquarters. This meeting was an attempt by the ZCTU to put pressure on the Mugabe government to solve the three-week long dispute with health personnel through normal industrial relations procedure. In response to a request for night work and other allowances, the go vernment rejected dialogue and merely dismissed 1,000 doctors and nurses. The ZCTU had called a general strike for Tuesday, 12 November 1996. Action requested : Please contact the Zimbabwe authorities urging them to : i. put an end to the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators; ii. ensure that the persons injured receive appropriate medical assistance; iii. guarantee the victims the right to appropriate redress and compensation; iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses : Mr Robert Mugabe President of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe Fax : (+ 263) 470 85 40 Geneva, 13 November 1996 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT - SOS Torture Tel: +41-22-733 31 40 Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 10 51 CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org Switzerland OMCT@iprolink.ch OMCT is the l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture