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WOZA leaders remain in police custody
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
September 27, 2011
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition condemns the systematic violations
of the right to personal freedom and integrity that continue to
persist in Zimbabwe, especially towards human rights defenders.
The violations are perpetrated not only by the ZANU-PF supporters,
state security agents, but also by the judiciary system. This follows
the denial of bail to Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahkangu by Magistrate
Tawanda Tsombe on Friday the 22nd of September 2011 at the Bulawyo
Magistrate Court on claims that the decision is in the best interest
of justice. The true reason for the denial of bails is clear and
once again ZANU PF has demonstrated that it is determined to cling
to power whatever the cost. The two are being accused of abducting
an old woman in Njube in July this year and theft of an electric
torch at a house in Nketa and are all still in police custody.
On September
21, 2011, WOZA organised a peaceful march in Bulawayo in commemoration
of International Day of Peace with a call for an end to political
violence in the country. Ms Jennnifer Williams and Ms Magodonga
Mahlangu and ten other activists were then arrested
and taken to Bulawayo Central police station while the rest of the
group was forcibly dispersed and beaten with baton sticks. The Coalition
condemns the ruling by Magistrate Tsombe as this is an indication
that the judiciary has been politicized. The arrest of WOZA activists
is part of a heightened attack by the police on civic groups and
political activists opposed to repression.
The Coalition
thus demands the following:
- The judiciary
must discharge its duties in an independent and unbiased manner
- State agents
must not influence the judiciary to pass arbitrary judgements
against human rights defenders.
- The state
must conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human
Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Asembly of the United
Nations on December 9, 1998, especially Article 1 and Article
6 (c) as well as Article 12.2, which provides that "the
State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection
by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in
association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation,
de facto ot de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other
arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise
of the rights referred to in the (..)"
- The State
must in all circumstance show respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards
and international instruments as ratified by Zimbabwe.
- Jenni Williams
and Mgodonga Mahlangu are innocent until proven guilty.
Jenni Williams
and Magodonga Mahlangu are currently detained at Mlondolozi Female
Prison and are set to appear in court on the 6th of October 2011.
Meanwhile the
treason
trial for social activists Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo,
Antoinette Choto, Welcome Zimuto, Tatenda Mombeyarara and Eddison
Chakuma will commence on the 28th September 2011 at the Harare Magistrate
Court. The State has been dragging its feet on the case as the trial
failed to kick off for the fourth time on the 17th of September
2011.
The Coalition
remains committed to justice for all Zimbabweans regardless of political
affiliation. Freedom of assembly, association and expression will
always be at the core of the Coalition's demand for a better
Zimbabwe.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
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