THE National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango) has called on government to show respect for human rights by repealing repressive legislation and directing police officers to exercise restraint on protesters, among others.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
Nango blasted police’s use of ‘excessive force’ and use of tear smoke to quash anti-government demonstrations, saying this violated international laws.
Riot police last week fired teargas within the corridors of Burombo flats in Makokoba, Bulawayo, in a bid to smoke out alleged ring leaders of July 6 Wednesday’s stay-away.
“The police should not use excessive force, harassment, torture and brutal attacks on unarmed innocent civilians,” Nango chief executive officer Cephas Zinhumwe said in a statement.
“The use of teargas in closed environments is prohibited under the international law as these intensify the risk of death by suffocation.
“Further, Nango urges the government to display political will in addressing the longstanding issues that militate against the protection and promotion of human rights.”
Zinhumwe added: “These include repeal of repressive pieces of legislation, protection of vulnerable persons, curb corruption and bring to book all those involved in corrupt dealings, bringing to book all the members of the ZRP who were involved in all the brutalities which took place last week.
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“As Nango, we insist that the state should be the principle guarantor and custodian of human rights with an obligation to protect, respect and enforce people’s rights as stated in the Constitution Section 219 (1) c. “It is therefore regrettable that the members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have distinctly reneged on its responsibility as a custodian of human rights to become a perpetrator of human rights abuses.”
Some civic society groups have urged Zimbabweans to record or photograph riot police accused of rights violations for future prosecution.
Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo has, however, defended the police heavy-handedness, saying they were “responding with corresponding force to violence” by anti-government demonstrators.
