UN Urges Zimbabwean Government To Probe Police Violence Against Fuel Hike Protesters
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published January 18, 2019 | 08:58 PM
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urges the Zimbabwean authorities to conduct a careful investigation into all cases of police violence against activists protesting higher fuel prices, including those involving the use of lethal force, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said at a briefing on Friday
On Monday, protests engulfed Zimbabwe in the wake of a 150 percent increase in fuel prices, introduced by the government overnight in a bid to tackle the country's economic crisis. On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that at least five protesters had been killed and 25 others injured in clashes with security forces.
"We call on the Government to carry out investigations into all reports of violence, including the alleged excessive use of force by security forces in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to accountability," Shamdasani said.
She added that the OHCHR was deeply concerned with the reports of the use of live ammunition against protesters.
"We call on the Government ensure that security forces handle protests and exercise their power - especially the use of firearms and live ammunition - strictly in accordance with the country's international human rights obligations and the relevant principles, including legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and accountability," Shamdasani stressed.
According to media reports, the total death toll in the protests might be up to 16 people, while dozens of others are said to have been injured. Over 600 people have been detained during protests, the Zimbabwean National Security Ministry reported.
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