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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Index of articles on enforced disappearances in Zimbabwe
Truth
and Justice Coalition (TJC) welcomes the release of Jestina Mukoko
and others
Truth and Justice Coalition (TJC)
March 04, 2009
The Truth and Justice
Coalition (TJC) today welcomed the release on bail of Jestina Mukoko,
other human rights defenders and opposition activists yesterday
in Zimbabwe. The organisation noted that the release on bail of
Jestina and others would enable them to access badly needed medical
treatment, and would also bring some relief to their families.
Ms Mukoko and others were abducted from their homes and offices
several months ago by state security agents who brutally tortured
them for the duration of their detention. They were subsequently
charged with crimes ranging from treason, banditry and terrorism.
Several court orders including those holding that the abductees
should be treated in hospital had previously been ignored.
"While we welcome the release of Jestina and others on bail,
we condemn the fact that these victims of enforced disappearance,
torture and other crimes against humanity should be the ones to
be placed on their defense while the perpetrators of such international
crimes have not been arrested", said TJC spokesperson and
human rights lawyer, Gabriel Shumba, who is the Director of the
South African based Zimbabwe
Exiles Forum (ZEF). "We also lament the extortionate and
punitive conditions imposed on Jestina and others, and believe that
these were meant to ensure that the abductees remain in custody.
The use of judicial institutions including the Attorney-General's
office to serve political ends in Zimbabwe should be strongly condemned
not only by civil society, but also SADC and the AU", went
on Mr Shumba.
Apart from surrendering travel documents, reporting twice a week
to the police, the accused have also been asked to pay bail in the
sum USD600 and to furnish security in the form of a further USD20
000. Only 3 of the 9 who appeared have so far been able to raise
the amounts.
The TJC further notes with great concern that there are about 8
individuals that were abducted around the same time that Jestina
was kidnapped, who are reported to be still missing. Shumba said
about this "We are extremely concerned that in spite of the
unity government, the culture of impunity continues to prevail in
Zimbabwe. We urge the authorities to leave no stone unturned to
ensure that those who are now, and have in the past committed such
atrocities will be held to account for these crimes."
For more information
contact:
Gabriel Shumba : Spokesperson +27-726393795
Landlines: +27123226969
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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