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ZLHR lawyer accosted, files and pleadings confiscated at Harare international airport
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
May 02, 2008

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyer Mr. Dzimbabwe Chimbga was today (2 May 2008) accosted by suspected security agents before the immigration check point at Harare International Airport soon after clearing Airport Security. Mr Chimbga was enroute to Swaziland for the 42nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).

The suspected security agents seized a total of nine confidential and highly privileged sets of documents which are case files of communications and complaints set to be argued by a ZLHR legal team against the Government of Zimbabwe in matters which the same government is fully alive to and hence there is no need for the confiscation of these documents. Also taken were soft copies of other pre and post election reports. These unknown security personnel harassed Mr Chimbga, meticulously noting down his personal profile and business details. They advised Mr Chimbga that they were going to 'deal with him when he returns to Zimbabwe.' Such a statement by these unknown agents is tantamount to intimidation and a direct threat to his security.

ZLHR condemns in the strongest of terms this heavy handed and arbitrary behavior by state security agents especially as it relates to a legal professional going about his business. It is also important to state that in the view of ZLHR these are clear attempts and indeed constitute clear acts of state agents seeking to subvert or otherwise obstruct the lawful course of justice.

In the premises the State is called upon to ensure the timeous return of the case files to ZLHR and or Mr Chimbga and in any event no later than the dates on which the matters are set to be argued.

ZLHR further calls for the urgent intervention of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to ensure that the Government of Zimbabwe and through its agents are not allowed to undermine the authority and sanctity of the African human rights protection and promotion mechanisms.

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