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Violence, torture and brutality by the police force in Zimbabwe increases
International Bar Association (IBA)
April 28, 2004

http://www.ibanet.org/news/NewsItem.asp?NewsID=142

The International Bar Association (IBA) is appalled that police brutality and politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe is increasing. The number of lawyers denied access to their clients or who suffer threats and attacks by members of the police force as they try to protect citizens' rights has risen over the last month.

On 22 April students taking part in a peaceful demonstration suffered violent attacks at the hands of the police who were deployed to break up the meeting. Lawyer Otto Saki attended the scene to represent Tinashe Chimedza, one of the detained students. Saki was denied access to his client. Saki stayed at the scene and later witnessed the torture of his client. Chimedza was handcuffed whilst the police assaulted him using booted feet, batons, open hands and a broken broom handle. Chimedza was later rushed to a clinic to receive treatment for his injuries.

Two other human rights lawyers, Advocate Bhatasara and Jacob Mafume, who also attended the scene, were subjected to abuse and threats as they tried to secure the release of their clients. Advocate Bhatasara was threatened by one Police officer who shouted '…I respect the flag more than anything and anyone! Today someone is going to die! Shots will be fired today!' The police then detained Advocate Bhatasara for allegedly refusing to remove his cap. He was later released.

Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, who has herself suffered a violent assault at the hands of the police, stated, 'I am appalled at the increasing number of violent attacks suffered by lawyers defending their clients in Zimbabwe. How can we possibly talk of rule of law existing here when such attacks continue?'

'The IBA reminds the authorities in Zimbabwe that the role of the police force is not to obstruct justice but to protect it. The police force must not identify lawyers with the politics or acts of their clients, and police officers are obligated to allow lawyers access to their clients,' said Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the IBA. 'The authorities are obligated under international law to investigate cases of alleged police violence and torture, and bring charges where sufficient evidence is found. The Government's complete silence on the use of police torture and violence gives tacit consent to these illegal practices'.

For further information please contact:
Esther Major
Human Rights Institute Administrator
International Bar Association
271 Regent Street
London
W1B 2AQ
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7629 1206
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7409 0456
E-mail: esther.major@int-bar.org

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