in relation to the alleged dismissals and indefinite suspension of trade union officials. Appeals in this case were still pending in the national courts in 2007. Another complaint filed by the ICFTU concerned a number of allegations relating to 2004, including detentions, dismissals and transfers, and general intimidation and harassment of trade unionists. Later allegations concerned similar events in 2004–06, as well as investigations of ZCTU financial matters, refusal to allow foreign trade unionists to enter the country, and police intervention in trade union meetings, strikes and demonstrations. The final set of allegations concerned the arrest and assault of 265 union members and officials during a 13 September 2006 demonstration. While the Government provided observations throughout the Committee on Freedom of Association’s follow-up to the case, during which time it was listed as a serious and urgent case on three occasions, the Committee deplored the fact that its recommendations had not been implemented. 17. This case also concerned the issue of alleged governmental involvement in an internal conflict within the ZCTU, which was raised before the Credentials Committee of the International Labour Conference in 2005. The ICFTU and Concerned Zimbabweans Abroad had alleged that the Workers’ delegates on the Zimbabwe delegation had been unilaterally selected by the Government in contradiction with the ZCTU’s proposal as the most representative trade union. While the Credentials Committee was not in a position to verify allegations concerning internal ZCTU conflicts, it noted that the Government’s actions in rejecting the written proposal of the ZCTU amounted to interference. The Credentials Committee noted “some doubts” about the Government’s impartiality and an indication of governmental “manoeuvres to manipulate the choice”. 18. Convention No. 87 came into force in Zimbabwe on 9 April 2004. The Committee of Experts examined the country’s first report in November 2005, commenting upon concerns with implementation of the Convention in relation to civil liberties, arrest and detention of unionists. In addition, the Committee of Experts noted various matters including the application of the Act to the prison service and managers, the question of registration, governmental involvement in union elections and activities and ability to launch investigations into unions, and the right to strike. 19. In June 2006, Zimbabwe was invited to appear before the Conference Committee on account of Convention No. 87. The country considered that its appearance on the case list was politically motivated and continued to refuse to accept the suggestion by the Conference Committee of a high-level direct contacts mission. The Conference Committee commented on the use of the POSA and emphasized that the exercise of trade union rights was intrinsically linked to the assurance of full guarantees of basic civil liberties, including the rights to express opinions freely, and to hold assemblies and public meetings. 20. In 2006, Zimbabwe again provided reports to the Committee of Experts on both Conventions Nos 98 and 87, which raised similar matters. While the Government continued to refuse to accept a high-level direct contacts mission, Zimbabwe had invited the Director of the ILO International Labour Standards Department to officially visit the country in August 2006. Her mission report, which commented on a paucity of social dialogue in the country, was mentioned by both the Committee of Experts and the Conference Committee. 21. In June 2007, Zimbabwe’s observance of Convention No. 87 was again discussed by the Conference Committee. Despite having a delegation accredited to the Conference, the Government did not attend the sitting of the Conference Committee. Zimbabwe was mentioned in a special paragraph. At the same session, following an objection by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Credentials Committee regretted that the Government had appointed a person of its own choice as one of the Workers’ delegates on the Zimbabwe delegation and expected that in the future the Government would nominate the Workers’ delegation exclusively in agreement with the most representative workers’ organization. Meetings-2009-Zimbabwe C of I-2009-12-0035-3-En.doc/v3 13