Zimbabwe Doctors Condemn Government Eviction Campaign

On Monday, a coalition of Zimbabwean doctors condemned a government campaign to eradicate shacks from the cities, saying as many as 1 million people could be displaced and expressing particular concern about AIDS patients among those affected. "The campaign has targeted the poorest members of our community ... simply trying to survive," said the 300-member Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights group. The UN estimates at least 200,000 Zimbabweans have been left homeless by Operation Murambatsvina, or "Drive out Trash," which began May 19. State radio reports the operation continues in Harare and Bulawayo. According to the doctors, those forced from their homes included families headed by children or grandparents because of AIDS deaths. In one northern Harare neighborhood, the group noted, those evicted included 103 HIV-positive adults who had been receiving medicines at a clinic that was forced to close.

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