Crackdown in Zimbabwe: Keeping democratic hopes alive amid rising repression
The Africa Program is pleased to join the Open Society Institute in presenting a briefing with Zimbabwean civil society and opposition leaders. Panelists include a human rights lawyer, an NGO leader and an MDC representative, two of whom were brutally assaulted by police on March 11th.
Overview
The Africa Program is pleased to join the Open Society Institute in presenting a briefing with Zimbabwean civil society and opposition leaders. Panelists include a human rights lawyer, an NGO leader and an MDC representative, two of whom were brutally assaulted by police on March 11th. Panelists will provide a first hand account of the escalating crackdown by police and security agents of the ZANU-PF government involving the abduction, detention and torture of grass roots activists across the country. At least 600 people are estimated to have 'disappeared'. In addition to the recent waves of repression, the ZANU-PF government is accused of attempting to undermine opposition support ahead of 2008 polls. Panelists will also provide an assessment of the conditions facing international organizations working in Zimbabwe.
Panelists:
Otto Saki, Acting Director of the non-profit organization Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Grace Kwinjeh, Deputy Secretary for International Relations for the Movement for Democratic Change, the Zimbabwean opposition party led by Morgan Tsvangirai
Lovemore Madhuku, Chair of the National Constitutional Assembly and a constitutional law expert and lecturer on law at the University of Zimbabwe
Moderator:
Akwe Amosu, Senior Africa Policy Analyst, Open Society Institute
Kindly RSVP to africa@wilsoncenter.org
Location:
5th Floor Conference Room,
The Woodrow Wilson Center in the Ronald Reagan Building
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
Hosted By
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
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