The forced mass evictions recently taking place in Zimbabwe have causes disquiet from church leaders as well as human rights activists and organisations.

The eviction was part of the government's Operation Murambatsvina - Operation Restore Order with the aim to eradicate informal settlements. The operation resulted in 250,000 being left homeless, including women with HIV/AIDS, widows and orphans.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has affirmed and supports the messages of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), which underscores the dire nature of the situation.

In the statement of the ZCC released on 20th June 2005 it says: "The clean-up operation has resulted in untold suffering where families are left in the open air in this cold wintry weather. The misery that this operation has brought upon the affected people is unbearable. We are witnessing the total loss of livelihood for whole families for some people who were operating within the parameters of the by-laws."

The statement followed the ZCBC Pastoral Letter published on 17th June. The letter points out on the way how the operation was carried out: "Any claim to justify this operation in view of a desired orderly end becomes totally groundless in view of the cruel and inhumane means that have been used."

"People have a right to shelter and that has been deliberately destroyed in this operation without much warning. While we all desire orderliness, alternative accommodation and sources of income should have been identified and provided before the demolitions and stoppage of informal trading. We condemn the gross injustice done to the poor."

The WCC calls on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately stop the evictions, which in fact started during the winter, and left hundreds without shelter.

As a local newspaper informed, at least 6 people died, among them 4 children, due to circumstances related to the operation. Some were crushed to death by structures that remained after police partially demolished their homes, while others died after exposure to cold.

The WCC also condemned the government for commencing such an action while the country is suffering from high unemployment, increasing poverty, acute food shortages and high levels of HIV and AIDS.

Also the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has pointed out the issue as it may undermine anti-AIDS efforts in Zimbabwe.

What is more, the government is not allowing churches and civil society groups to assist the evacuees. There is a moral, ethical and theological imperative to assist those who are suffering.

The WCC has now urged the government to stop immediately the operation, and instead to address the real needs of suffering Zimbabweans.

"The government of Zimbabwe and the ZANU-PF need to exercise its newly achieved parliamentary majority in a way that can move the country from division towards healing."

"This means reaching out to the opposition and dismantle the restrictions on fundamental freedoms contained in such laws as the Public Order and Security Act, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Private Voluntary Organization Act. It should also withdraw the NGO bill from parliamentary consideration in its current form," states WCC in its press release.