Dear Ambassador,

We are writing to you today as committed student activists, fighting and defending the rights of all students world-wide.

We are appalled to learn about the recent developments in Zimbabwe. The situation for students in this country is already extremely oppressive and all peoples should have the opportunity to express their opinions and beliefs, whether popular or not.

We are deeply concerned about the continued harassment and victimization of students and their leaders by the Zimbabwean government, its agents and supporters. In the past week alone, 74 students and their leaders including the ZINASU President, Promise Mkwananzi were rounded up, assaulted and are still being tortured and detained under Zimbabwe’s version of the colonial punitive detention law, the Public Order and Security Act.

This act is a clear breech of right to education as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights Article (21). 1 and in the African Declaration on Human and Peoples Rights article (17).

We implore you to do all that you can to ensure these people are released and given the freedom to oppose political parties that they deserve.

The National Union of Students in the United Kingdom demand the following:

1. The immediate release of all students and their leaders currently, and likely to be detained as a result of their demand to learn
2. A stop by the Government of Zimbabwe on organized acts of terror against ZINASU and its members
3. An investigation and prosecution of those agents and supporters of the Zimbabwean government who have been involved in assaulting and torturing ZINASU leaders and their members

Yours in hope,

Stephen Brown

National Secretary

NUS UK

&

Kat Stark

National Women’s Officer

NUS UK

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