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Political Prisoners in Zimbabwe
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| On 3rd October 1997 these men were granted relief by the Zimbabwe Supreme Court to be allowed to study. Prior to this they were not allowed to study.1 Zimbabwe Prison Authorities have yet to act on the order by the Zimbabwe Supreme Court, to provide study resources. |
| The authorities have disallowed them to have their own hair clippers purchased at their own expense. |
| These men all require dental treatment which is being denied them, ostensibly for security reasons. All other prisoners in Chikurubi are given the best medical and dental treatment available at leading facilities. |
| Bawden & Woods have developed medical problems that cannot be treated in Zimbabwe (thrombosis & coronary heart disease). Their specialists have recommended they be sent to countries where treatment is available - all to no avail. These men have to seek a court order to obtain their right to proper medical treatment. |
| Innumerable requests and petitions by these 3 men for improvement to the prison conditions (not only for themselves but for all prisoners in Zimbabwe) have all fallen on deaf ears.2 |
| A request to fund their own improvements, which would leave more finances for prisoners without resources, has been unsuccessful. |
| Repeated requests by former President Mandela and President Mbekiof South Africa for the release of these men have been unsuccessful. The President of Zimbabwe, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe has made it plain that he alone is dealing with the case of these men and even his ministers have little influence over their fate. President Mugabe has to date steadfastly refused their release despite the fact that they are either South African or British citizens and could easily be deported and prohibited re-entry into Zimbabwe. |
| These men have all personally petitioned President Mugabe for clemency. Their contrition-laden petitions submitted in June 1996, and the latest remorseful petitions submitted in 1997 and 1998 "have been perused and refused". |
Kevin Woods has applied to South Africa's Truth And Reconciliation Commission for amnesty. Unfortunately, the Commission has no legal jurisdiction to grant amnesty for crimes committed outside South Africa. The Commission is trying to negotiate some sort of dispensation for these men, in order that their revelations may play a part in Southern Africa's healing process. Alas, the Zimbabwe Government to date has not been so forthcoming. |
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| 1. This is in contravention of Article 26 of the International Bill of Human Rights and Principle 28 of the UN Body of Principles, which says, "The State must provide study resources". |
| 2. Principle 33(4) of the International Bill of Human Rights states that in prison a person will not suffer prejudice for making a request or complaint. In Zimbabwe a prisoner who complains or demands his rights is labelled a troublemaker and treated even more harshly. |
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