Heal Zimbabwe condemns assault on peaceful demonstrators

Dzamara sustained serious injuries from brutal assaults by more than 20 police officers. He together with fellow demonstrators have been holding the peaceful demonstrations calling on the Government to improve the lives of Zimbabweans.

Also assaulted was Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Project Lawyer, Kennedy Masiye. The rights lawyer was assaulted while attempting to represent his clients, Itai Dzamara and other protesters. In terms of Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, all Zimbabweans including Itai Dzamara have a democratic and constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully. For that reason, the Police Officers violated the constitution by assaulting and calling off a peaceful demonstration.

Since the “Occupy Africa Unity Square” demonstration started, Dzamara and other protestors have peacefully submitted a written petition to the President’s office and have been gathering in Africa Unity Square peacefully in accordance with the constitution that implores protestors to exercise rights peacefully.

Heal Zimbabwe notes that in the past weeks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police allowed violent ZANU PF demonstrations in Marondera, Masvingo, Mutare and Harare South respectively, but no assaults or arrests were reported. This selective application of the law is a cause of concern. Article 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which Zimbabwe is signatory to, stipulates that every individual shall be equal before the law and every individual shall be entitled to equal protection of the law.

Heal Zimbabwe calls for the Government to uphold the Constitution and International Conventions that it is signatory to and stop the infringement of peoples’ rights.