Zimbabwe’s opposition leader threatened to boycott elections next year as church leaders launched an outspoken appeal for democracy in the mounting challenge to President Robert Mugabe.

Government opponents in Zimbabwe today said the family of an opposition militant who was shot dead by police was forced to bury him at his rural home to avoid a ceremony in the capital that could have sparked demonstrations.

The African Union called on Zimbabwe to respect its citizens’ human rights today as it emerged that two opposition activists seeking medical treatment abroad after being beaten by police were among three detained trying to leave the country.

The leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party and about 50 other democracy activists – many of them bandaged and bruised – were taken to hospitals following a court appearance today, two days after they were arrested and reportedly beaten for trying to attend an opposition meeting.