Zimbabwe: Violent dispersal of peaceful demonstration of health workers by the police

Front Line is seriously concerned by reports received of violent police repression of a peaceful demonstration of health workers at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, on 18 November 2008. The march had been organised by health workers from Harare Central and Parirenyatwa Hospitals to protest against the collapse of the public health system. They had planned to march to the offices of the Minister of Health and Child Welfare to present a petition calling for urgent action to be taken to restore accessible and affordable health care in Zimbabwe.

Further Information

According to reports received, on 18 November 2008, at approximately 8:00 am, heavily armed riot police prevented the protesters from proceeding with their march from where they had gathered on Leopold Takawira Street outside Parirenyatwa Hospital. The group then held their protest within the grounds of Parirenyatwa Hospital for four hours before riot police entered the hospital grounds at 11:45 am and forcibly dispersed them, assaulting several health workers in the process.

According to health officials, Zimbabwe's public health care system is alleged to be in a state of crisis. It has been paralysed by drug shortages, insufficient medical supplies, the withdrawal of maternity services, poor infrastructure, equipment breakdowns and a serious outbreak of cholera. The hospitals Harare Central and Parirenyatwa, where the health personnel in the demonstrations are employed, are virtually closed. These health workers have reportedly continued to attempt to deliver health services despite the extremely challenging conditions of the current health care system.

These events represent the last of a series of cases of violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrations by the police. On 27 October 2008, two peaceful demonstrations, organised by the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe (WcoZ) and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), to protest against the delayed conclusion of the peace talks between Zimbabwe's three major political parties were also violently dispersed by the police with tear gas, baton sticks and dogs, resulting in over 100 protesters injured.

Front Line believes that the aforementioned health workers were attacked as a result of their legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular the right to health and access to health care. Front Line is deeply concerned that this repression appears to form part of a trend of systematic use of force by the security forces against peaceful demonstrations in Zimbabwe.