/ 29 January 1999

JOURNALISTS’ ABUSE PROTESTED

WESTERN diplomats on Friday formally protested the illegal detention and torture of two Zimbabwean journalists by military police. Envoys from the European Union — which includes Britain, the country’s former colonial power — Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States delivered a protest note to acting Foreign Minister Nathan Shamuyarira. The statement called on the Zimbabwean government to demonstrate its commitment to international standards of human rights, investigate the torture charges without delay and punish any perpetrators.