Valentine’s demo in Zimbabwe ends with over 200 arrests
WOZA members at a Valentine's demoFront Line is extremely concerned for the safety of a large number of human rights defenders and protesters, all members of WOZA, MOZA and student leaders who were arrested on 13 February 2007 during peaceful protest marches.
Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) were arrested while peacefully protesting in Harare and Bulawayo on 13 February 2007, to mark WOZA’s fifth Valentine’s Day procession. The peaceful protest took place a day before Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2007, when the WOZA women traditionally hold the Valentine's Day procession.
It is reported that there was approximately 274 men and women and 20 babies arrested and detained in police custody. The protesters are being held in 7 different police stations, Bulawayo Central, Mziliazi, Donnington, Hillside, Nkulumane, Queens Park and Sauerstown.
On 14 February 2007, 36 members were released, which included mothers with babies, juveniles, pregnant women, and one injured woman.
State security and law and order section at the Harare Police Central Police station arrested and detained 15 student leaders at the Harare Polytechnic on 13 February 2007. Promise Mkwanazi, President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union. The student leaders were holding a peaceful protest in Harare, in order to protest about the deterioriting situtation of higher education in Zimbabwe.
For more information on the arrests of the members of WOZA and MOZA please click here: http://wozazimbabwe.org/
For more information on the arrests of the 15 student leaders please click here www.studnetsolidarity.org