Zimbabwean Authorities Must End Crackdown On Protesters - Rights Watchdog

A major international non-governmental organization called on Zimbabwean authorities on Wednesday to end their crackdown on protesters and investigate the deaths and injuries of protesters that resulted from the excessive use of force by security officers

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) A major international non-governmental organization called on Zimbabwean authorities on Wednesday to end their crackdown on protesters and investigate the deaths and injuries of protesters that resulted from the excessive use of force by security officers.

Since Monday, Zimbabwe has been in a state of protest, sparked by a 150 percent increase in fuel prices that was introduced by the government over the weekend in a bid to tackle the economic crisis. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), at least five protesters have been killed and another 25 injured in clashes with the security forces.

"Zimbabwe authorities have a duty to maintain security during protests, but they need to do that without using excessive force ... Those responsible for using unlawful lethal force should be promptly investigated and held accountable," Dewa Mavhinga, HRW Southern Africa director, said, as quoted in the statement.

Protesters have burned down a police station, blocked off roads and looted stores, while security forces have responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Over 200 people were already arrested as of Monday.

On the same day, members of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights provided emergency medical services to 25 people who suffered gunshot injuries.

HRW emphasized that authorities should "act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense" and never use firearms against civilians except for self-defense, or protecting others from the imminent threat of death or serious injury.

On the second day of the protests, local internet providers shut down access to the web and social media. The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights claimed that this hampered the coordination of medical aid distribution.

Mavhinga called on the Zimbabwean government to "immediately" restore access to the Internet and social media, stressing that all Zimbabweans had a right to access information and express their views.

On Tuesday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa told Sputnik that the protests were "almost fizzling out." He also stressed that there was no country that had never faced "challenging problems."

Mnangagwa added that before the price hike his country had the cheapest fuel in the world.