tried in a court. The repeated cycle of arrest, detention, and non-pursuit of charges is applied to deter activists from carrying out their work. According to one activist who spoke to Human Rights Watch, “They either assault you physically or psychologically. If you are detained for three days or so the charges are dropped. Sometimes they arrest you and release you with charges and you go for remand hearings three or four times and then the charges are dropped. Sometimes you go for a year and then they drop the charges. It can have a traumatic effect.”35 Women belonging to WOZA have been subjected to repeated arrests and detentions for engaging in peaceful demonstrations. In the past year alone police have arrested women from the organization on four separate occasions.36 In February 2006, almost 200 women from the organization were arrested on Valentine’s Day for demonstrating against the government’s political and economic policies.37 During the arrests, police kicked and beat the women with batons. Many of the women were quickly released after they paid fines to the police for breaching the peace under section 7 of the MOA. However, according to WOZA 63 of the women were held in detention for three days, until a magistrate charged them with holding a demonstration without permission under POSA and released them on free bail. These charges were later changed to a violation of section 7 (c) of the MOA: "Doing an act which is likely to lead to a breach of the peace or to create a nuisance or obstruction."38 35 Human Rights Watch interview with NCA activist (name withheld), Harare, September 26, 2006. 36 Women from the organization were arrested in Bulawayo and Harare in February, May, August and September 2006. In August 100 WOZA women were arrested and currently face charges under section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for “participating in a public gathering with the intent to cause public disorder, breach of peace or bigotry.” See public statements by WOZA, http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/women/060214woza.asp?sector=hr&year=0&range_start=241 (accessed October 10, 2006). 37 Human Rights Watch interview with Harrison Nkomo, human rights lawyer, Mtetwa and Nyambirai law firm, Harare, September 26, 2006. See also public statements by WOZA, http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/women/060214woza.asp?sector=hr&year=0&range_start=241 (accessed October 10, 2006). 38 Ibid. See also “63 members of WOZA to be charged under the Miscellaneous Offences Act,” WOZA statement, May 10, 2006, http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/women/060214woza.asp?sector=hr&year=0&range_start=241 (accessed October 10, 2006). “you will be thoroughly beaten” 14