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Zim activists allege beatings
25/04/2007 19:23 - (SA)
Harare - Fifty-six Zimbabwean activists arrested this week for staging a peaceful demonstration against power cuts, have been released, but most were beaten in police custody, said the rights group they support on Wednesday.
"All of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) supporters and 10 babies carried by some of the women when they were arrested on Monday, were eventually released late on Tuesday after paying small fines," said Woza.
During their detention the 56 were made to lie on the floor in the law and order department of Harare Central police station and were beaten by 12 officers, according to the group.
One woman had a baby on her back during the beating in which the baby was struck and sustained a swollen leg, said the group.
The injured activists, including 20 men, were receiving medical treatment on Wednesday morning, said Woza.
The demonstration that led to their arrest on Monday was part of a series of "Power to the People" protests organised by Woza to lobby against worsening power shortages in Zimbabwe.
Ongoing crackdown
Suburbs in towns and cities throughout the country go without electricity for hours, sometimes days at a time.
The alleged police assault on the activists is seen as part of an ongoing crackdown by President Robert Mugabe's government against critics that has gathered pace as economic hardships worsen.
The government has banned rallies and demonstrations in Harare, and Mugabe has given police the right to use force against opponents engaging in street protests.
Dozens of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists, including its leader Morgan Tsvangirai, have been arrested and assaulted by police in recent weeks.
The 83-year-old leader congratulated police for curbing the criminal tendencies of the opposition party at Independence Day celebrations last week.
The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights has said it is concerned at the growing number of activists being treated for injuries inflicted at the hands of the police.
- SAPA
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