News / National
Amnesty International lambasts Mugabe's government
13 Jul 2016 at 09:46hrs | Views
THE rights body Amnesty International has lambasted Zimbabwe's government over the arrest of Pastor Mawarire, who is one of the people behind the two-day stay-away.
"The arrest of Pastor Evan Mawarire appears to be a well calculated plan to intimidate him and other activists ahead of the national shutdown organised for tomorrow in an attempt to supress the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
Last week Zimbabweans responded to Mawarire's call to stay away from work and all major cities including Harare and Bulawayo were significantly affected.
The call to stay away coincided with protests over the governments unilateral decision to ban imports of basic food stuffs and other commodities from South Africa. The strike by teachers over delayed salaries exacerbated the unrest in Zimbabwe.
"The arrest of Pastor Evan Mawarire appears to be a well calculated plan to intimidate him and other activists ahead of the national shutdown organised for tomorrow in an attempt to supress the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
Last week Zimbabweans responded to Mawarire's call to stay away from work and all major cities including Harare and Bulawayo were significantly affected.
The call to stay away coincided with protests over the governments unilateral decision to ban imports of basic food stuffs and other commodities from South Africa. The strike by teachers over delayed salaries exacerbated the unrest in Zimbabwe.
Source - online
