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Human rights
zimbabwe: Amani Trust - threats and allegations are cause for concern
2003-01-23, Issue 96
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/rights/12798
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The Amani Trust has strongly denied involvement in a petrol bomb attack in Zimbabwe on Monday night after the state news media had claimed that an Amani vehicle had been identified as one of the vehicles ferrying the alleged attackers. "These allegations are wholly unfounded, but consistent with the continuous attacks that have been mounted against the Trust over the past year...There must therefore be concern for the safety of the staff and Trustees of the Amani Trust, and we hope that calls will be made upon the government of Zimbabwe to protect its citizens against unlawful attack."
Further developments in the attacks on the Amani Trust
Mr A.P. Reeler,Former Director of the Amani Trust
January 22, 2003
Following on last night’s alert on the latest campaign against the Amani Trust, there have been a series of new and very disturbing developments. As I reported last night, the state news media had claimed that an Amani vehicle had been identified as one of the vehicles ferrying the alleged attackers into Kuwadzana on Monday night. This allegation was repeated in the Herald this morning where the state-owned newspaper claimed the following:
At least three vehicles linked to the attack have also been impounded and one of them is believed to belong to Amani Trust, which kept safe houses in various high density suburbs, housing opposition youths on the Police wanted list.
These allegations are being repeated regularly by the state-controlled radio.
The Trust has also been informed by a friendly source that there are plans to firebomb the Amani offices tonight.
These allegations are wholly unfounded, but consistent with the continuous attacks that have been mounted against the Trust over the past year. The threat to actually firebomb the offices must be taken very seriously in view of the attacks in the past on the Daily News and the Voice of the People radio station.
There must therefore be concern for the safety of the staff and Trustees of the Amani Trust, and we hope that calls will be made upon the government of Zimbabwe to protect its citizens against unlawful attack. The Trust unreservedly denies that it would have any part in violent action of any kind, and has always stressed its non-partisan position as a human rights organization.
For more information:
Email: tony@idasa.org.za
Tel: +27-(0)84-764 6995
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Victimisation of Amani Trust Continues
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
January 22, 2003
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition regrets Monday night’s petrol bomb attack in Kuwadzana and sends its deepest condolences to the family of those killed and injured in the attack.
However the Coalition unreservedly condemns efforts by the government to try and place blame for the attack on the Amani Trust. The Coalition has it on sound authority that Amani Trust vehicles are grounded without fuel and were therefore nowhere near Kuwadzana on the fateful night.
In the past government has used similar contrived allegations to manipulate public opinion and create a smoke screen in advance of a so-called “retaliatory” attack on legitimate organisations who are seeking creative solutions to Zimbabwe’s current crises.
In particular the Coalition notes with grave concern the government’s sustained attack against media and other groups involved in the documentation of human rights abuses.
The Coalition hopes that recent media attacks on the Amani Trust are not setting the stage for a similar action against the organisation or its members.
For more information:
Tel/Fax +263-(0)4-747817
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