AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

View Alerts By > Case | Date | Country | Victim

AAAS Human Rights Action Network

View the digitally signed version of this alert.

FACTS OF THE CASE:

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) reports that there have been violations of medical neutrality in Zimbabwe in the past few weeks. In early June, the opposition party in Zimbabwe, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), called for nationwide workplace and university stayaways in protest of the deteriorating economic, political, and human rights situation and to force the resignation of President Robert Mugabe. The protests were met with massive arrests and beatings from the state security forces.

According to reports by human rights organizations and the media, security force members forcibly entered the Avenues Clinic on 4 June. ZADHR reports that uniformed police abducted at least one injured patient from the waiting room before the individual could receive medical attention. Amnesty International reports that seven individuals were arrested from the clinic that day. Avenues clinic is a private medical hospital in Harare that was treating more than 150 individuals who were injured in recent political violence. Witnesses report that security forces harassed and intimidated injured people and medical personnel and demanded information about the MDC.

The ZADHR issued a press release stating that the organization is “concerned that the heavy presence and intimidating behavior of the uniformed forces in hospital premises will prevent patients from accessing treatment.” The organization condemned the use of violence against the public and called for all parties to immediately cease violence.

The human rights situation in Zimbabwe has been deteriorating over the past few months. Zimbabwe is experiencing an economic freefall. In response to the nationwide protests, the government security forces have been stepping up their harassment of opposition leaders. According to the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch, “the political violence prevalent in rural areas since 2000 has now become common in urban centers, and non-political actors such as civic organizations and church leaders are increasingly targeted.” The state security forces and youth militias are responsible for the majority of the violence in recent months.

Access to medical treatment is a fundamental human right and is protected in the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II).

(Sources of information for this case include: Amnesty International, the Zimbabwean Association of Doctors for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and The Star.)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Relating to the Protection of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II)

• Article 3: (1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. (2) The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for.
• Article 18: Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

President Robert G. Mugabe
Office of the President
Private Bag 7700
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: 011 263 4 708 820 / 708 211
Salutation: Your Excellency:

The Honorable Khembo Mohadi
Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
11th Floor Mukwati Building
Private Bag 7703
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: 011 263 4 726 716
Salutation: Dear Mr. Minister:

Dr. D. P. Parirenyatwa
Minister of Health and Child Welfare
Ministry of Health and Child Welfare
4th Floor Kaguvi Building
Box 8204
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: 011 263 4 729154/ 793634
Salutation: Dear Mr. Minister:

COPIES SENT TO:

Ambassador Simbi Veke Mubako
Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United States
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
1608 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington DC 20009
Fax: 1 202 483 9326
zimemb@erols.com
Salutation: Dear Mr. Ambassador:

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6797; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals are to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

Main | CSFR Letters | Science and Human Rights Program