By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
Patson Dzamara, brother to abducted journalist turned activist, Itai, has come out guns blazing against the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF Zimbabwe) over a statement it issued on the involvement of children in a recent commemoration.
Patson accused UNICEF of reproducing “Zanu PF hullabaloo” for its condemnation of the presence of children during last Wednesday’s commemoration of Itai’s birthday, describing the event as political.
Itai was abducted by suspected military intelligence operatives in March last year after leading a series of peaceful sit-ins in the Africa Unity Square against President Robert Mugabe’s government.
In a terse statement dated 13 August, UNICEF said: “UNICEF in Zimbabwe deplores the use of children in the demonstrations that took place in Harare on Wednesday.”
“Children are not political and should be sheltered at all times from situations that expose them to the risk of harm or violence.
“It is everybody’s duty to ensure that children are not used to advance a particular political cause. In all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child should override all other considerations,” added UNICEF.
Patson, a medical doctor who has been protesting against government’s failure to establish Itai’s fate, fired back, saying the statement was disturbing and dishonest.
“I am perturbed by this statement. Of all organisations, I do not expect UNICEF to stoop this low. Something is wrong,” said Patson in his statement.
He said UNICEF had never issued a statement relating to Itai’s abduction and its impact on his children nor to President Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who have had schools closed and children force-marched to their rallies.
“This is crass hypocrisy on the part of UNICEF. It’s unacceptable, especially considering that this wasn’t even a demonstration but a commemoration.
“Itai’s children, our relatives and their friends had every reason and right to be part of the commemoration. That was not in any way political,” added Patson.
He accused international organisations like UNICEF of “trying to normalise what is abnormal”.
“Most children in Zimbabwe have experienced the impact of police brutality directly and indirectly. That is what UNICEF should be addressing, not this Zanu PF produced hullabaloo,” said Dzamara. Nehanda Radio
