Rights groups condemn arrest of Zimbabwe opposition members ahead of regional meeting

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are calling on Zimbabwe’s government to stop the arbitrary arrest and detention of opposition and civil society members ahead this weekend’s Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Harare. Zimbabwe information minister Jenfan Muswere told VOA via WhatsApp that the allegations are “hogwash.” He also said law and order is not suspended in Zimbabwe, and that criminals will always be arrested because no one is above the law. Idriss Ali Nassah , a senior Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch, tells VOA’s James Butty, SADC leaders should condemn the government’s human rights violations and demand the release of all those unjustly arrested.