Date: Friday 27 June 2008

Subj: Zimbabwe: "We are being persecuted."

To: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty News & Analysis

From: WEA RLC Principal Researcher and Writer, Elizabeth Kendal

ZIMBABWE: "WE ARE BEING PERSECUTED"

"Religious freedom" that is conditional on being a member of the State
religion is clearly not religious freedom. "Religious freedom" that does
not permit conversion is not religious freedom. Likewise, "religious
freedom" that is conditional on political allegiance is not religious
freedom.

What began in 2001 as government interference in Anglican affairs has
developed into religious liberty abuse so severe and violent that
"dissident" Anglicans -- that is most Anglicans -- in the capital,
Harare, now risk death to meet together. And there is no reason to
believe that Mugabe's religious repression and persecution will end with
the Anglicans of Harare. If Mugabe manages to steal the election and
take control of the Anglican churches of Harare he will doubtless move
to control all churches of all denominations nationwide.