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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai & others - Index of articles
NANGO
calls for end to harassment of civil society activists by Zimbabwe
Republic Police
National
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
March 17, 2011
The National Association of Non Governmental Organisations
(NANGO), a membership body representing non-governmental organisations
in Zimbabwe, notes with concern the continued harassment of civil
society activists by law enforcement agents (ZRP) in recent weeks.
The harassment of activists is evidenced by a disturbing chronicle
of events indicative of a crackdown on civil society organisations,
in particular, human rights focussed organisations.
NANGO notes
with great concern, the raid
and arrest of members of WOZA
arrested on two separate incidences in Entumbane and Mabutweni (Bulawayo)
on 28 February 2011. As of March16,
WOZA reports that its members continue to be harassed by the police
in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling. On 10th March 2011 Zimbabwe
Human Rights NGO Forum offices were visited
by police from Harare Central Police Law and Order Section.
In the previous month, the NGO Forum director, Mr Abel Chikomo,
underwent detention for six
hours following a survey project the organisation was conducting
in the country. Though law enforcement agents question the NGO Forum's
legality, this investigation is of questionable motive as the NGO
Forum is legally constituted according to Zimbabwean law and proof
to that effect has been supplied to the police. Another illustration
of the crackdown on civil society organisations is the arrest
of Crisis
Coalition in Zimbabwe director, Mr McDonald Lewanika, on the
14th of March 2011 for purportedly distributing subversive material.
The 'subversive material' in question merely comprised
advocacy materials used regularly as part of the Coalition's
activities. NANGO's Eastern (Mutare) region offices were also
raided by police on 16th March 2011. Furthermore, the arrests of
Mr
Munyaradzi Gwisai and 45 other activists for watching a video
footage of the Egyptian uprising leave no doubt of the sheer curtailment
of fundamental freedoms of expression and association. It is also
a strong indication of the enforced restriction of civil society
activities and a clear shrinking of the NGO operating space.
Whilst we acknowledge
that the State, through the Zimbabwe Republic Police, has a duty
to protect the citizenry, protection cannot be defined by the harassment
of innocent activists. NANGO does not condone such a crackdown on
its membership. We strongly call on the co-Ministers of Home Affairs,
Min. Kembo Mohadi and Min. Teresa Makone, as well as the Police
Commissioner Augustine Chihuri to create an enabling operating environment
for civil society organisations to continue to freely provide development
assistance to the people of Zimbabwe without fear of victimisation
or reprisal.
Visit the NANGO
fact
sheet
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