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Zimbabwe stops activists leaving Zimbabwe stops activists leaving
(about 1 hour later)
The Zimbabwe authorities have stopped two women who are senior opposition officials from leaving the country for medical treatment, a lawyer has said. Three leading Zimbabwean opposition members have been prevented from going abroad and one of them was beaten up on his way to the airport, reports say.
Sekai Holland and Grace Kwinje were among a number of activists beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week. Nelson Chamisa was beaten as he tried to leave for Brussels on Sunday to attend a meeting, the opposition said.
They were prevented from flying to South Africa and were now under police guard in hospital, the lawyer said. Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland had planned to seek treatment in South Africa for injuries sustained in police custody, their lawyer said.
Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country.Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country.
In a statement, the pan-African body also called for a "constructive dialogue" to resolve Zimbabwe's deepening crisis.In a statement, the pan-African body also called for a "constructive dialogue" to resolve Zimbabwe's deepening crisis.
Western criticism of Robert Mugabe's government intensifited after Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, was beaten after last Sunday's rally in Harare. Western criticism of Robert Mugabe's government intensified after Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was beaten after last Sunday's rally in Harare.
'Arbitrary act''Arbitrary act'
Sekai Holland and Grace Kwinje wanted to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them told the BBC's World Today programme. Mr Chamisa, an MDC spokesman, was "badly beaten this morning whilst he was on his way to the airport by security agents", MDC official William Bango told AFP news agency.
We know that people are resilient in spite of the brutal response by this regime Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working' Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working'
He had been on his way to attend an Africa Caribbean Pacific-EU meeting in Belgium.
"The security agents have taken his passport, laptop and his luggage," said Mr Bango. "One of his eyes has been badly injured. It's really bad. His head has been severely injured."
Ms Holland and Ms Kwinje tried to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them, told the BBC's World Today programme.
They were among a number of activists beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week.
Tafadzwa Mugabe said all their papers were in order but - just before boarding the flight - the authorities said the two women needed an additional "clearance letter from the ministry of health".Tafadzwa Mugabe said all their papers were in order but - just before boarding the flight - the authorities said the two women needed an additional "clearance letter from the ministry of health".
"This was just an arbitrary act," the lawyer said, adding that they would be taking legal action."This was just an arbitrary act," the lawyer said, adding that they would be taking legal action.
He said that the condition of the two MDC activists remained critical. He said that the condition of the two women activists remained critical.
He added that Arthur Mutambara - the leader of one faction of the MDC - was also prevented by the police from leaving the country, though he was not seeking medical help.He added that Arthur Mutambara - the leader of one faction of the MDC - was also prevented by the police from leaving the country, though he was not seeking medical help.
'Ready to confront' 'Tipping point'
Mr Tsvangirai, who was also beaten while in police custody following the rally, left hospital on Friday. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the situation has reached a critical stage.
Several of his colleagues remain in hospital. "Well I think that this is a tipping point," he said.
On Saturday, Mr Tsvangirai told the BBC said that the people of Zimbabwe were ready to confront Mr Mugabe's government. "Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship."
"We know that people are resilient in spite of the brutal response by this regime," he said. President Mugabe has rejected Western criticism and blamed the opposition for instigating the violence.
President Mugabe has rejected western criticism and blamed the opposition for instigating the violence.
Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 27 years, but there is increasing discontent over the country's economic crisis.Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 27 years, but there is increasing discontent over the country's economic crisis.