|
US complains about Tsvangirai
24/01/2008 21:50 - (SA)
Washington - The United States has lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe government for the brief detention of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee also contacted Tsvangirai after his detention ahead of a protest on Wednesday.
"Our ambassador did speak with him and expressed concern about his condition. He did report that he had not been mistreated since he was in custody," said US State Department spokesperson Tom Casey on Thursday.
"His detention was clearly an effort to try to intimidate the opposition in Zimbabwe and prevent them from being able to explain and peacefully express their views and carry out the activities that they had planned."
On Wednesday, police fired teargas and charged toward several hundred people making their way to the protest, but Tsvangirai eventually addressed a few hundred people who managed to reach the protest site.
Aiming for free expression
The demonstration was intended as a first test of new security laws meant to ease restrictions on protests in the run-up to elections scheduled in March.
Casey said: "Certainly we want to encourage the government of Zimbabwe to do what they have pretty consistently failed to do over time.
"This is to allow the opposition and all people the opportunity to freely express their views, to campaign and to also operate in the manner you would expect in a free society."
|
News
Zimbabwe Special Report
