Solidarity Appeal: Speak out against the intimidation of lecturers in Zimbabwe
(May 8, 2013) CAUT is issuing an urgent solidarity appeal in support of our colleagues with the College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe (COLAZ).
In September 2011, members of COLAZ participated in a peaceful job action to protest pay and working conditions. The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education responded by suspending thirty-one national and branch executive members of COLAZ, including the President of the union, without pay for three months. A further 250 lecturers were charged with misconduct for their participation in the protest.
Following investigative hearings conducted by the Ministry that lacked independence and impartiality, further disciplinary measures were taken. In addition to fines and demotions, the thirty-one branch and national executive members were transferred to institutions far away from their homes and family as punishment for exercising their democratic and trade union rights. COLAZ has successfully appealed the findings of the investigative hearings. However, to date the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education has not complied with the court rulings.
CAUT is urging members to write to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe to:
remind the government of its obligation to respect and uphold internationally recognized human and trade union rights;
cease its intimidation and harassment of COLAZ members;
abide fully with legal rulings of the appeals courts;
reimburse lecturers who were unjustly suspended without pay; and
allow senior officials of COLAZ to return to their previous posts and institutions.
cease its intimidation and harassment of COLAZ members;
abide fully with legal rulings of the appeals courts;
reimburse lecturers who were unjustly suspended without pay; and
allow senior officials of COLAZ to return to their previous posts and institutions.
You may adapt the letter that CAUT has issued to authorities in Zimbambwe. Please address your letter to:
Dr. Ignatius Chombo
Acting Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education
The Permanent Secretary
New Complex Building, 6th Floor
F Block
Government Composite OfficesCnr 3rd Street/ Samora Machel Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe
Fax: +263-4-706516
Dr. Ignatius Chombo
Acting Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education
The Permanent Secretary
New Complex Building, 6th Floor
F Block
Government Composite OfficesCnr 3rd Street/ Samora Machel Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe
Fax: +263-4-706516
Please copy the following:Her Excellency Florence Zano Chideya
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
332 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K2P 0J9
Fax: (613) 422-7403
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
332 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K2P 0J9
Fax: (613) 422-7403
Mr. David Dzatsunga President
College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe No. 90 Alverston Court, ZIMRIGHTS Hse, Corner Baines Avenue and Fourth Street
P.O. Box HR 8723
HARARE
Zimbabwe
Email: COLAZ
College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe No. 90 Alverston Court, ZIMRIGHTS Hse, Corner Baines Avenue and Fourth Street
P.O. Box HR 8723
HARARE
Zimbabwe
Email: COLAZ
David Robinson
Associate Executive Director
Canadian Association of University Teachers
2705 Queensview Drive Ottawa, ON
K2B 8K2
Email: David Robinson
Associate Executive Director
Canadian Association of University Teachers
2705 Queensview Drive Ottawa, ON
K2B 8K2
Email: David Robinson
Website: