-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Date: 16 June 2003 Country: Zimbabwe Subject: Violations of Medical Neutrality in Zimbabwe Case Number: zi0307_zad Type of alert: New Issue: Medical neutrality 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 RIGHT STANDARDS: Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Relating to the Protection of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) * 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 * 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. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes, letters, or emails: Expressing your concern about reports that police officers entered the Avenues Clinic on 4 June 2003 and intimidated patients and staff. Requesting assurances that all security forces will be instructed on the rights of patients to seek medical care and that the forces will respect these legitimate rights; and Urging that the government take all steps to ensure that hospitals and clinic will not be subject to violent incursions by security forces. 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 Email: 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. PLEASE NOTE: You may view the digitally signed version of the AAASHRAN alert on the World Wide Web at: http://shr.aaas.org/aaashran/alert.php?a_id=255 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 6.5.8 iQA/AwUBPu3YOtMlGPom+t70EQJUUwCfXkllXPg3rYzeWHcobeyVxYy2SKkAoOhc da3wlRUkaspBM8r41hkuI00H =FyAm -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----