ATL STATEMENT ON ATTACKS ON TEACHERS IN ZIMBABWE

20 February 2008

Nine members of the teachers’ union PTUZ were arrested and beaten in Harare, Zimbabwe, yesterday when they handed out leaflets about the country’s education crisis.  They were taken to a police station, where they were beaten again, and we have had reports five were hospitalised with broken bones and other injuries.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: 

“We whole-heartedly condemn the arrests of and attacks on nine teachers in Harare, Zimbabwe yesterday (Feb 19).  There can be no justification for attacking teachers who were peacefully handing out leaflets about the education crisis in the country. 

“We fully support their right to peaceably protest at a situation which is damaging the education of thousands of children.  And we add our voice in protest against these brutal and repressive actions by the Zimbabwean state against teacher trade unionists.”