date: 14 September 2006

embargo: Immediate release

TUC tells Mugabe to release 400 union prisoners

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has today (Thursday) written to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, demanding the immediate release of 400 trade unionists arrested yesterday during peaceful protests against hyperinflation and mass unemployment in the country. Mr Barber also raised serious concerns about reports that the leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions are being beaten and denied medical treatment and legal representation.

Full text of letter

I write to express our deep concern over the arrest on 13 September 2006, and continued detention of, Mr Wellington Chibebe, General Secretary, Mr Lovemore Matombo, President, and Ms Lucia Matibenga, First Vice President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and some 400 other trade union activists.

Our information is that they were arrested following protests in the capital Harare and other cities over the rising cost of living and shortages of fuel, food and essential medicines, that Mr Chibebe, Mr Matombo and Ms Matibenga have been severely beaten up by the police and that they have been denied medical attention and access to legal representatives.

The arrest of trade unionists for organising activities relating to the exercise of their legitimate rights is a gross violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, your country, which ratified Convention 98(1998) and Convention 87 (2003), is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. We urge you to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all detained trade unionists and ensure that all Zimbabweans are allowed to exercise their democratic rights without interference from the State.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The main Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions leaders under arrest are:
- Lovemore Matombo (President)
- Lucia Matibenga (Vice President)
- Wellington Chibebe (Secretary General)
- George Nkiwane (Vice President)
- Japhaet Momoyo (Deputy Secretary General)
- Cumbulani Estavo (Treasurer-General)

The only leader of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions who is not currently under arrest is Thabitha Khumalo (Vice President) who is in the UK after speaking to TUC Congress yesterday (Wednesday), her speech is available at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-12410-f0.cfm

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 14 Sep 2006