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IBA calls on Zimbabwean authorities to end the incommunicado detention of officials from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
International Bar Association (IBA)
April 08, 2008

The International Bar Association (IBA) today called upon the Zimbabwean authorities to end the incommunicado detention of officials from the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC).

IBA Executive Director, Mark Ellis, said: 'these arrests reinforce the suspicion held by many observers that the ruling party is engaged in an elaborate ploy to discredit the entire first-round of the presidential election.'

Ellis added: 'The IBA is deeply concerned to learn that the officials who have been detained are being denied legal representation. Under international law, lawyers must have immediate and unfettered access to their clients.'

Zimbabwe's state-run media today reported that ZEC officials had been arrested on allegations of defrauding the presidential candidate, Robert Mugabe, of approximately 5,000 votes, which were cast for him during recent elections.

The ZEC has not yet officially completed counting votes and the IBA believes that these arrests are politically motivated and are a ploy by the ruling party to discredit the election process and call for fresh elections. There is a danger that the arrests will undermine the independence of other electoral officials in the run-up to any election that is to follow.

The IBA has been informed that lawyers have attempted to represent the officials, but are being prevented from carrying out their professional duties by the police. Further, the location and identity of all the detained individuals have yet to be confirmed, heightening concern for their safety.

For further information/expanded commentary, please contact:

Romana St Matthew - Daniel
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International Bar Association
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