Zimbabwe bishops condemn violence

Zimbabwe's Roman Catholic bishops have urged President Robert Mugabe's government to ensure that this month's parliamentary elections are free and fair.

In a statement, the bishops condemned the wave of violence that has been blamed on government supporters and said nobody should suffer reprisals over their right to free association and expression.

The violence had claimed more than twenty-six lives during election campaigning.

Around half Zimbabwe's population is Roman Catholic, with many of the country's schools and hospitals run by the Catholic Church.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service