WCC asks Zimbabwe to restore rule of law

Christian Century, Dec 13, 2003

The World Council of Churches, deeply concerned by "the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Zimbabwe," has implored the country's government "to take immediate steps to restore the rule of law and put an end to arbitrary arrests, torture and killings." The Geneva-based ecumenical body said October 28 it sent a letter to Zimbabwe's justice minister.

Peter Weiderud, director of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, asked for "an immediate inquiry into the case of Mrs. [Beatrice] Mtetwa and others who have been the subject of police brutality" in order to "ensure that justice is done to them." The letter to Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa cited other violations against the judiciary and human rights defenders.

Mtetwa, a lawyer who has represented journalists, among others, was taken into police custody October 12 after calling the police about an attempted car-jacking. When she was released from Harare's Borrowdale police station, the WCC said, she needed medical treatment for severe bruising and cuts to her face, throat, arms, ribcage and legs.

The country's 79-year-old president, Robert Mugabe, and his ruling party have been the target of a campaign since September by Zimbabwean churches--criticized in the past for not speaking out--who suggested the government has forfeited "its God-given mandate to rule."

The 109 clergy, pastors and laity from 59 Christian denominations in Zimbabwe and representatives from the ecumenical community in South Africa met recently in Kadoma, Zimbabwe.

At that meeting the churches said the government is undermining the rule of law, using political violence as a tool of intimidation and coercing and suppressing opposition. Church leaders said they seek to prevent the Zimbabwean government from becoming "the beast" of Revelations 13, "which usurps power and terrorizes God's defenseless people, thus fermenting anarchy and lawlessness in the land." ENI