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Continued persecution and harassment of Gays and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
May 26, 2010

NANGO is deeply concerned about the continued detention and persecution of Gays and Lesbian of Zimbabwe (GALZ) employees, Chademana and Muhambi, by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The two, arrested on Friday 21 May 2010, are being charged with possession of obscene, indecent or prohibited articles in breach of Section 26 (1) (b) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act chapter 10:04. It is disturbing that more than the statutory 48hrs provided for by Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (Chapter 9:07) these two were still not been released or presented before any court of law.

NANGO registers its apprehension over the manner investigating officers assigned to this case have flouted criminal procedural prerequisites necessary to guarantee a fair trial; the police deliberately misinformed the lawyers representing the two about the whereabouts of the accused and further proceeded to search the GALZ premises without the lawyers' knowledge and/or consent. We therefore demand that the national police force conducts itself in a professional and non - partisan manner having taking cognisant of due process of the law. A reasonable person would interpret such and similar police action as obstruction of justice and gross abuse of office and procedure. This conduct unfortunately dampens levels of confidence of our people in the capacity of the coalition government to deliver on the key benchmarks set out in the Global Political Agreement.

NANGO further expresses its unreserved condemnation of reported police raids, not only GALZ premises, but also the private dwellings of GALZ employees; which is a serious security threat to those associated with this organisation. While NANGO encourages debate on gay rights in the constitution reform process we strongly condemn targeted and arbitrary arrests of any segment of our society. NANGO calls for restraint from our police and for the state to enforce and guarantee the enjoyment of the basic civil and political rights enshrined in the current constitution. This is especially imperative that the police conduct themselves in accordance with the Police Charter and that all observe tolerance of diversity and difference as COPAC is expected to begin the outreach for the constitutional making process

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