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UN Official Calls Zimbabwe Crackdown on Activists 'Intolerable'

Columbus Mavhunga

   HARARE - The outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe,
   Bishow Parajuli, says the current crackdown targeting opposition
   demonstrators and activists is "intolerable," because the country's
   constitution allows citizens to protest.

   The U.N. envoy expressed concern about the situation, telling reporters
   that sanctions imposed by some Western countries are not directly
   responsible for Zimbabwe's slow economy.

   "The constitution provides space for people to participate in a
   peaceful means of demonstrations," Parajuli told reporters during his
   last address in Harare. "I would say all means of peaceful
   demonstrations should not be threatened through violent means. And that
   can only add negative image on Zimbabwe, frankly. Zimbabweans are very
   peaceful people, that is what I have seen, and tolerant people. And
   going to people in the evenings in masks and beating, that is
   absolutely intolerable. That should not be the right thing to do."

   President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government has said it is investigating
   who is behind abductions, which have left many activists injured after
   taking part in recent anti-government demonstrations.

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