Appendix 2 Statements about the campaign from Zimbabwean NGOs and churches. Statement by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum on the Demolitions of structures and eviction of occupants by the police and local authorities The Human Rights NGO Forum is deeply disturbed by the forcible evictions of occupants of allegedly illegal structures and the destruction of their properties that have been perpetrated by the Police and in some instances jointly with local authorities over the past two weeks. The Forum notes that these actions are in clear violation of the law in that the authorities have not given the required notice to the evictees, which is 28 days under s 199 of the Urban Councils Act, and have not given the evictees an opportunity to contest the legality of the actions through a court of law. The Forum further notes that, notwithstanding the legality or otherwise of these actions, the manner of the demolitions and evictions is grossly and unjustifiably inhumane, and amounts to inhuman or degrading treatment of citizens in contravention of the constitution. These actions are also characterized by a massive and unnecessary show of force, which has instilled intense fear in the minds of the victims in particular and the public in general. The Government has for several years acquiesced and in some instances actually encouraged the establishment of the settlements and other illegal structures, and has not shown justification for the urgent and high-handed manner in which it has acted. Statement by Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) on Operation Murambutsvina ZADHR deplores in the strongest possible terms the ongoing destruction of informal housing and businesses in Harare and other cities in Zimbabwe as part of Operation Murambatsvina. Families are being cast onto the street as armed police pull down their homes. The brutal action by the Government of Zimbabwe has precipitated a humanitarian crisis against a backdrop of severe food shortages and 70% unemployment levels. In addition, approximately 25% of the sexually active population in Zimbabwe is infected with HIV. 760 000 children have been orphaned by the disease and many more of those who are victims of the “clean up” are affected by it. The campaign has targeted the poorest members of the community, peaceful and law-abiding citizens, simply trying to survive. A minimum of 250 000 people have been affected with some placing the figure at more than 1 000 000. Many of the affected settlements and informal businesses have been in existence for more than 19 years and were established with government approval and support. Of particular concern to ZADHR is the impact that this campaign is having on children and families infected or affected by AIDS. Hatcliffe Extension, situated on the Eastern outskirts of Harare and previously home to an estimated 15 000 people, serves as an example. The settlement has been totally destroyed. Many families are still sleeping in the open air amongst the ruins of their homes more than one week after the destruction, as they have nowhere to go. Among those affected at Hatcliffe were 180 orphaned infants who were attending a crèche established by Catholic nuns, 375 orphans and vulnerable children attending a local primary school whose fees were being paid by AID Service Organisations and 103 adults with AIDS who had been commenced on anti-retroviral therapy under the care of a local clinic which has now been closed. Amongst the homes destroyed were those of at least 6 child-headed households and 40 grandparent-headed households providing shelter for orphans. The operation by the Government of Zimbabwe is a clear violation of international conventions including the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to all of which Zimbabwe is a signatory. ZADHR urges the ministry of Health and Child Welfare to exert whatever influence it has on its partners at the most senior levels of government to halt these abuses and