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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ZIMBABWE: MDC call to security forces

JOHANNESBURG, 28 March 2003 (IRIN) - Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called on the country's security forces to decide whether they are "with the people or against them" and to dissociate themselves from "militias".

In a statement following the recent anti-government two-day mass action by the MDC, the party said it was "acutely aware" of the desire by most of the security forces of Zimbabwe to conduct themselves in a "professional and non-partisan manner".

However, the MDC claimed that during the stayaway the security forces had been used to implement the ruling ZANU-PF's agenda and that their image had been further tarnished when trained youth "militias" had been dressed in army and police uniforms to control the stayaway.

"By doing so the impression is created that the Zimbabwe security forces are at war with the people. The security forces must denounce these crimes against humanity, which are being committed in their name and in their uniforms," the MDC said on the eve of two important by-elections in Harare at the weekend.

Themes: (IRIN) Conflict, (IRIN) Governance

[ENDS]

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