BOCISCOZ Press Statement On Demonstrations In Zimbabwe
Correspondent | Monday January 21, 2019 13:03
On Monday January 14, 2019, protesters took to the streets to demonstrate and raise their concerns about the 150% increase in fuel prices announced on Saturday.
Communication with some civil society organisations in Zimbabwe, namely, Matabeleland Collective and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), reveal that the demonstrations have been met with resistance from the security forces, and have resulted in injuries, arrests and life loss of some members of the public.
BOCISCOZ is concerned about loss of life and violations of human rights, at this time. We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and to respect the human rights of people to freely express themselves, and urge the Zimbabwe police to protect the rights of all persons including the rights of protesters.
We remain committed to the development and entrenching of human rights values in our southern Africa region, aimed at ensuring social and economic justice for our citizens.
We assure Zimbabweans of our solidarity and assure them that information about the current Zimbabwe situation is being disseminated as it becomes available to us.
We also call upon and encourage the government of Botswana, together with other SADC States, to engage the government of Zimbabwe on the situation as a matter of urgency.
BOCISCOZ reiterates its position of respect for human rights, a people-centred development approach and calls for prevailing of peace throughout this period of developments currently taking place in Zimbabwe.
17 January 2019
Gaborone