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TUC Women's Conference expresses outrage over harassment of women in Zimbabwe

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TUC Women's Conference expresses outrage over harassment of women in Zimbabwe

Following news from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) that their 100th year celebrations of International Women's Day were disrupted by illegal police harassment and detention of women exercising their human right to freedom of association, the TUC Women's Conference meeting in Eastbourne, has expressed their outrage and continuing solidarity with their sisters in Zimbabwe. The following message was read out to the Conference delegates by Pat Stewart, Chair of the TUC's Women's Committee which is twinned with the ZCTU Women's Advisory Council.

Solidarity with the ZCTU Women's Committee - 8th March 2011

The TUC's International Department has received alarming reports from our sisters at the ZCTU in Zimbabwe that this week armed police stormed the union offices in Bulawayo telling more than 200 activists gathered not to take part in a peaceful International Women's Day March, despite a high Court order specifically granting permission for the march. Today, sixteen women were picked up by the police at the Bulawayo ZCTU offices and briefly detained. In other parts of the country the police have threatened the ZCTU with unspecified action as International Women's Day celebrations take place.

On this important centenary celebration of International Women's Day I call upon you all to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters in Zimbabwe. TUC Women's Conference is outraged and appalled by Zimbabwean police's efforts to stifle the ZCTU's freedom of association and to thwart a peaceful celebration of International Women's Day. Let us offer our solidarity and support to our Zimbabwean sisters as they struggle for the right to do the simple things that we as trade unionists in a free country take for granted.

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