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 JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - Female activists in Zimbabwe have been beaten and forced to strip by police and detained while with their babies, according to one of Zimbabwe's civil rights organizations.
Women of Zimbabwe Arise released results of a preliminary report Tuesday showing that 73 percent of an initial sample of 397 members have been arrested more than once, 40 percent were tortured, and 50 percent detained longer than the allowed 48 hours. About 26 percent were injured badly enough to receive medical treatment.
WOZA, formed in 2003, has become a powerful voice in the deepening economic and political crises in Zimbabwe. It has held more than 100 peaceful protests and is known for its annual Valentine's Day march in which red roses are distributed in a call for love, peace and harmony.
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