Congress Protests Detention of Zimbabwean Trade Unionists
9 May 2008
Congress has called on the Irish government to 'use its influence' with Zimbabwean authorities to secure the release of two senior trade union officials that have reportedly been detained by police in Harare.
General Secretary David Begg has asked that Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin "pass on the deep concern of workers in Ireland over the safety of our colleagues from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and to use the influence of our Government, with the authorities in Zimbabwe to secure their immediate release and ensure that all Zimbabweans are allowed to exercise their democratic rights without interference from the State."
Mr Begg's letter follows reports of the arrest of Wellington Chibebe, General Secretary of Zimbabwean Congress Trade Union and Mr Lovemore Matombo, President of the ZCTU and their detention at Harare Central Police Station, allegedly in connection with the speeches made by them on May Day.
Congress has also said that the two officials "have been charged with inciting people to rise against the government and spreading falsehoods about the current political crisis."
Mr Begg's letter points out that: "The detention of trade unionists for organizing activities relating to the exercise of their legitimate rights constitutes a gross violation or their rights. It is also a clear breach of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work which Zimbabwe has recently ratified (Convention 98 in 1998 and Convention 87 in 2003)."
ends