SADC called on to condemn violence

The US-based civil liberties group Human Rights Watch on Thursday called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to "speak out strongly" on the need to ensure that the rule of law is respected in Zimbabwe. "The situation in Zimbabwe seems to be deteriorating daily," Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch said in the statement. "President Mugabe must take urgent steps to restore the rule of law and end harassment of Zimbabweans who peacefully express their opposition to his government." In a letter to the president of Malawi, which is currently the chair of SADC, and the presidents of South Africa, Mozambique, and Botswana, which are members of a SADC "troika" responsible for monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe, Human Rights Watch urged the regional body to call on the Zimbabwean government to bring its supporters under control and ensure that the police act impartially to restore order. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 18 members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are currently in custody, charged with offences including murder, in connection with the abduction and murder of a leading veteran of Zimbabwe's liberation war and government party supporter, Cain Nkala. The MDC has denied responsibility for the abduction and murder of Nkala, who was linked by police to the murder last year of an MDC official, Patrick Nabanyama. "It seems this killing is being used as an excuse to crackdown on the opposition," said Takirambudde. "While the criminal law must take its course, state structures should not be used for political purposes." A copy of the letter can be found at http://www.hrw.org/press/2001/11/zimlet1122.htm