Archbishops turn to UN chief over attacks on Zimbabwe churches

|PIC1|The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Rev Thabo Makgoba, have appealed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to help protect the people of Zimbabwe, particularly Christians in light of what they fear to be a sustained campaign against the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Archbishops said there had been a "sharp escalation" on May 18 in attacks on Anglican churches by state security and police, who continue to disrupt Sunday services and beat worshippers. Some believers have been prevented from attending church altogether, the Archbishops added, whilst on other occasions Mothers' Union meetings have been disbanded.

"Harassment and intimidation is their daily bread; and there is a continuing failure to enforce court orders permitting Anglicans to worship in their cathedral church in Harare and other parishes," the Archbishops said.

They said that the right to worship, assemble and take part in free and fair elections, as guaranteed under Article 18 of the UN Charter on Human Rights, was being "daily denied" to Zimbabweans.

"Given this political climate of fear, and now the intimidation of our Anglican brothers and sisters, especially in Harare, we are concerned to know what the UN security council and SADC (Southern African Development Community) regional leaders are doing to defend Mothers' Union meetings at churches and prevent people being torn away from altar rails on the orders of ruling party or state officials," the Archbishops said.

They pleaded for "immediate high level" mediation and monitoring from the SADC and UN to ensure a free and fair presidential run-off, and the protection of the Zimbabwean people from state-organised violence.

They continued: "This is not simply a matter of vote rigging: the events of the last ten days have sharpened everyone's concern, as we hear of murderous attacks on legitimate political activists and now also brutality towards men, women and children meeting for Christian worship. We urge increased international pressure and effective mediation to prevent further suffering.

"In the meantime we assure not only our Anglican brothers and sisters but all Zimbabweans of our love and prayers for them at this time. As fellow Christians called by Jesus to be channels of His peace, with justice and reconciliation, Anglicans around the world stand in solidarity with you. 'Be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ' (2 Tim 2:1)."

The leader of the opposition Morgan Tsvangirai said on Tuesday that more than 50 people had been killed in political violence and 25,000 have fled their homes since the disputed March 29 elections.
A second round poll has been set for June 27 after official figures showed that Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe in the election but did not garner enough votes to win outright.

The victims of the violence include Sherperd Jani, who was MDC's senatorial candidate for the Murehwa area in the March elections. He was abducted last Wednesday by suspected war veterans and members of the ruling party militia. Local media reported that his body was found on Saturday.

"I've been saddened that Zimbabweans are willing to shed the blood of other Zimbabweans over political differences," Tsvangirai said.

He blames the killings on a violent campaign against MDC supporters orchestrated by the ruling Zanu-PF, and with the tacit consent of the police.

Tsvangirai announced the appointment of representatives from churches and rights groups to oversee a 150 trillion Zimbabwean dollar (£150,000) fund to support victims of political violence.