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| Zimbabwe's jailed 'must be freed' | Zimbabwe's jailed 'must be freed' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Human rights group Amnesty International has urged the coalition government taking over in Zimbabwe to release all political prisoners. | Human rights group Amnesty International has urged the coalition government taking over in Zimbabwe to release all political prisoners. |
| Long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had said he would refuse to become prime minister until his jailed supporters and activists were freed. | Long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had said he would refuse to become prime minister until his jailed supporters and activists were freed. |
| However, he was sworn in on Wednesday without them being released. | However, he was sworn in on Wednesday without them being released. |
| But he vowed to bring an end to political violence and stabilise the country's shattered economy. | But he vowed to bring an end to political violence and stabilise the country's shattered economy. |
| President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years, has promised to co-operate in the unity government. | President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years, has promised to co-operate in the unity government. |
| But correspondents say the release of political prisoners will be seen as an indication of whether the two men's parties can work together. | But correspondents say the release of political prisoners will be seen as an indication of whether the two men's parties can work together. |
| Diagram of power-sharing agreement | Diagram of power-sharing agreement |
| "For nearly a decade the people of Zimbabwe have endured immense suffering as a result of the government's policies against perceived opponents," says Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher Simeon Mawanza. | "For nearly a decade the people of Zimbabwe have endured immense suffering as a result of the government's policies against perceived opponents," says Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher Simeon Mawanza. |
| "It's against this background that we are calling on President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to take concrete steps to demonstrate their government's commitment to internationally recognised human rights. | "It's against this background that we are calling on President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to take concrete steps to demonstrate their government's commitment to internationally recognised human rights. |
| Gugulethu Moyo, a Zimbabwean lawyer who works for the International Bar Association, says people will not be as patient with Mr Tsvangirai as they have been with Mr Mugabe. | Gugulethu Moyo, a Zimbabwean lawyer who works for the International Bar Association, says people will not be as patient with Mr Tsvangirai as they have been with Mr Mugabe. |
| Morgan Tsvangirai says civil servants will be paid in foreign currency | Morgan Tsvangirai says civil servants will be paid in foreign currency |
| The prime minister has said his government will make food "available and affordable", and has promised to focus on the cholera crisis that has killed more than 3,400 people. | The prime minister has said his government will make food "available and affordable", and has promised to focus on the cholera crisis that has killed more than 3,400 people. |
| He has also promised that all public sector workers are to be paid in foreign currency - without saying how this would be done. | He has also promised that all public sector workers are to be paid in foreign currency - without saying how this would be done. |
| "He's promising a great deal⦠and we have to hold him to account for that," Ms Moyo told BBC World TV. | "He's promising a great deal⦠and we have to hold him to account for that," Ms Moyo told BBC World TV. |
| "For instance, he called on the authorities to release certain people who are being held on political grounds and he said he wouldn't go into government until that happened - that hasn't happened, so already [he's given ground]," she said. | "For instance, he called on the authorities to release certain people who are being held on political grounds and he said he wouldn't go into government until that happened - that hasn't happened, so already [he's given ground]," she said. |
| At least 30 political detainees are known to be in custody at present. | At least 30 political detainees are known to be in custody at present. |
| The most high-profile is human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who denies charges of organising military training to topple President Mugabe. | The most high-profile is human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who denies charges of organising military training to topple President Mugabe. |
| STATE OF ZIMBABWE Five million people - almost half population - need food aidHyperinflationUnemployment of 90%About 3,400 people killed in cholera outbreak href="/1/hi/world/africa/7885917.stm">Cautious welcome from the Press class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7882703.stm">Tsvangirai's tough choiceHope amid Zimbabwe's reality | |
| Zimbabwe faces rampant inflation, a cholera epidemic and 90% unemployment. | Zimbabwe faces rampant inflation, a cholera epidemic and 90% unemployment. |
| The international community has promised additional aid to the country only if real changes take place. | The international community has promised additional aid to the country only if real changes take place. |
| There has been political turmoil in Zimbabwe since last March, when Mr Tsvangirai, who leads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), won the first round of a presidential election. | There has been political turmoil in Zimbabwe since last March, when Mr Tsvangirai, who leads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), won the first round of a presidential election. |
| He refused to take part in a subsequent run-off in protest against attacks on his supporters. | He refused to take part in a subsequent run-off in protest against attacks on his supporters. |
| A final deal on power-sharing was reached in January, after Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe following an absence of more than two months for fresh talks with Mr Mugabe. | A final deal on power-sharing was reached in January, after Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe following an absence of more than two months for fresh talks with Mr Mugabe. |
| The ministers in the new coalition government is to be sworn in on Friday. | The ministers in the new coalition government is to be sworn in on Friday. |
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