By Staff Reporter
WESTERN embassies stationed in Harare have condemned the arbitrary arrests rights defenders ahead of the SADC summit.
In a statement, the US Embassy said the arrests “run counter to the democratic principles upon which SADC is built”.
The heads of mission of European Union countries stationed in Zimbabwe added they were deeply concerned and urged “authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms in line with the Zimbabwe Constitution and international human rights obligations, including on arrest, detention, and legal proceedings”.
Last week, South African government coalition partner the DA suggested the SADC summit should be moved from Zimbabwe because of human rights violations.
It also called on SADC to act on Zimbabwe.
“By abusing state machinery to violate the rights of Zimbabweans, the unrepentant ZANU-PF regime has demonstrated that it is prepared to go to any lengths to violate the law in order to entrench its authoritarian rule.
“South Africa, and by extension, SADC, have an obligation to hold the Zimbabwean government to account,” read a statement attributed to Emma Louise Powell the DA’s spokesperson on international relations and cooperation.
Addressing a public lecture at Rhodes University in Makhanda, EFF leader Julius Malema said young people in Zimbabwe should come together to bring an end to the country’s woes.
