Letter to the Embassy of Zimbabwe

Mr Simbarashe Simbanenduku Mumbengegwi
Ambassador for the Republic of Zimbabwe
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe House
429 Strand
London
WC2R 0SA

date: 26 April 2005

Dear Mr Ambassador

Assault on Trade Unionists

I write to express our deep concern over the incident on Saturday 23 April 2005 in Bulawayo in which Mr Wellington Chibebe, General Secretary of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and Mr Tabitha Khumalo, a member of the International Relations Committee, were assaulted by some unknown individuals during a meeting of the General Council.

Our information is that Mr Lovemore Matombe, ZCTU President, and Ms Lucia Matibenga, first Vice-President, were also subjected to harassment during the incident. We understand that the police only imposed a fine on the attackers when the incident was reported to them.

I would like to draw attention to your government’s obligations, under ILO Convention 98(1998) and Convention 87 (2003), to ensure that trade unionists are allowed to exercise their legitimate rights without interference. We request you to pass on to your government our concern over the growing number of serious incidents threatening the freedom of expression and fundamental rights of workers in Zimbabwe.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary