In a statement issued on Thursday, the Archbishops said there had been a "sharp escalation" on May 18 in attacks on Anglican churches by state security and police, who continue to disrupt Sunday services and beat worshippers. Some believers have been prevented from attending church altogether, the Archbishops added, whilst on other occasions Mothers' Union meetings have been disbanded.
"Harassment and intimidation is their daily bread; and there is a continuing failure to enforce court orders permitting Anglicans to worship in their cathedral church in Harare and other parishes," the Archbishops said.
They said that the right to worship, assemble and take part in free and fair elections, as guaranteed under Article 18 of the UN Charter on Human Rights, was being "daily denied" to Zimbabweans.
"Given this political climate of fear, and now the intimidation of our Anglican brothers and sisters, especially in Harare, we are concerned to know what the UN security council and SADC (Southern African Development Community) regional leaders are doing to defend Mothers' Union meetings at churches and prevent people being torn away from altar rails on the orders of ruling party or state officials," the Archbishops said.
They pleaded for "immediate high level" mediation and monitoring from the SADC and UN to ensure a free and fair presidential run-off, and the protection of the Zimbabwean people from state-organised violence.
