A delegation of seven African human rights activists that visited Zimbabwe last week to assess conditions has issued a report alleging significant human rights abuses.
The World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Civicus, draws members from Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Gambia. The group expressed shock at Zimbabwe's economic and social condition, making particular reference to the government's 2005 forced eviction and demolition campaign.
Claire Doube, manager of a civil society watch program run by Civicus, told reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the group will try to prompt action by Zimbabwe’s Southern African neighbors.
South African activist Donald Mattera, a delegation member, said the poverty left by the demolition campaign reminded him of South Africa's Apartheid era.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...