September 14, 2006 (5:25 EDT)

No. 102

CANADA CONDEMNS THE ARREST OF ZIMBABWEANS FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, made the following statement regarding the arrest in Zimbabwe of trade union members and others who sought to demonstrate to express their views about the Government's economic policies:

“I am deeply troubled that the Government of Zimbabwe has once again denied its people their rights to freedom of expression and association as well as the right to peaceful assembly. Canada condemns the arrest of these peaceful demonstrators and calls for their immediate release.

“Canada urges Zimbabwe to refrain from the use of intimidation, violence and repression and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens, and we have conveyed our concerns to the Government of Zimbabwe in Ottawa and in Harare.”

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Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
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