Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on violence against peaceful protestors in Harare No 5 – Statement by various British political leaders The British Minister for Africa, Peter Hain said: "We strongly condemn all forms of violence, especially this sort of thuggery orchestrated from on high, which drags Zimbabwe's already tarnished image even lower." He added: "There is clear evidence of racist, anti-white attacks, which is especially disturbing coming from a party which came to power 20 years ago on a tide of anti-racist sentiment, committed to the end of white minority rule The Conservatives have accused the UK government of failing to match its words with actions. Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude said: "It's about time the British Government spoke out against Mugabe's corrupt regime, but as we've seen so often Labour prove to be all mouth and no delivery. We have called for Zimbabwe to be suspended from the Commonwealth until Mugabe's government is removed or until he completely changes his policies. Unless the British Government actually takes firm action, the words of Mr Cook and Mr Hain will prove absolutely meaningless, and the catalogue of corruption in Zimbabwe will simply continue." No 6 – Statement by MMPZ on ZBC television broadcast at 8.00 p.m. MMPZ was disturbed by the lack of balance in a news story broadcast on ZBC television on Tuesday 4th April, 8 p.m. bulletin. Part of the story was as follows: "Newsreader: The National Secretary for projects of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has denied reports that members of his association attacked members of the NCA and MDC in Harare last Saturday. Andrew Ndlovu says War Veterans retaliated after being provoked by the 2 organisations during the peace march organised by the NCA. Andrew Ndlovu: It was caused by unscrupulous supporters of the MDC and ANC (sic) who I think they had an agenda and advanced to attack the war veterans because they used abusive words and they were wearing MDC tee shirts and when war veterans and ZANU (PF) supporters were making a peaceful marching in support of land reform they were insulted and they were attacked by stones. And then it made war veterans, as trained people, to go into defensive. It was then they took the sticks with which they were attacking the war veterans and they retaliated in defence. Prisca Utete: Are you saying that it is wrong to wear tee shirts with insignia of other parties? War Veteran 2: Azvina kunge zvakashata kupfeka ma tee shirt e MDC party. Problem yavo ndeyekuti vanga vakasunudza ma placards ekuti isu tinorova, mawarvets machembera hamuchakwanisi kurwa nesu. Ma War vets were surprised kuti chii chirikuyitika. (Translation: There is no problem with wearing MDC T-shirts. The problem is that they were carrying placards saying "we can beat up War Vets. You are now old - you can't fight us". The war vets were surprised at what was happening.)" All news footage of the event, including that aired by ZBC on Saturday evening, points to the fact that the above statements were not true. MMPZ monitors witnessed the group of war veterans and ZANU (PF) supporters leaving ZANU(PF) headquarters on Saturday 1st April. Many were pulling down tree branches in order to arm themselves prior to their march. MMPZ monitors saw the same group several minutes later in town chasing the NCA marchers with their sticks raised. ZBC pictures aired on Saturday's main news bulletin backed this up. Other news agencies also showed pictures of the ZANU (PF) group physically attacking unarmed citizens. There was no evidence that any of the NCA marchers were armed with sticks and stones. On the contrary, the more nimble NCA marchers fled as the onslaught began and were quickly dispersed with the help of police tear gas fired at them. Those caught and beaten with sticks and stones appeared to be those at the back of the march and passers-by. MMPZ urges ZBC to be balanced in its reporting of such events, by giving groups accused of violence (in this case the NCA and the MDC) the right of reply. Reports would be further enhanced by neutral eyewitness accounts and the testimony of victims. - 28 -