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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai & others - Index of articles
Zimbabwe
treason charges an attack on freedom of expression
Amnesty
International
February 25, 2011
View this article
on the Amnesty website
Amnesty International
today expressed shock that at least 45 Zimbabwean activists have
been charged with treason and could face the death penalty following
their arrest at a lecture on the protests in North Africa.
Mr Munyaradzi Gwisai, a former opposition parliamentarian, and 44
social justice, trade union and human rights activists were arrested
by police on Saturday as they were attending a lecture entitled
Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia. What lessons can be learnt by Zimbabwe
and Africa.
"This is a clear over-reaction by the state to an event in
which the participants were exercising their legitimate right to
freedom of expression which the government of Zimbabwe must guarantee
under national and international law," said Michelle Kagari,
Amnesty International's deputy director for Africa.
Amnesty International is also alarmed by reports that at least seven
of the activists, including Munyaradzi Gwisai, were beaten by security
agents while in custody and called on the government to investigate
the allegations.
"The safety of detainees remains a serious concern as the
Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police station has become
notorious for the torture and ill-treatment of activists in their
custody," said Michelle Kagari.
"These persistent abuses demonstrate the need for urgent reform
of Zimbabwe's security sector to bring to an end a culture
of impunity for human rights violations and partisan enforcement
of the law."
Defence lawyers told Amnesty International they had been denied
the opportunity to consult their clients and they were only informed
of the charges facing the activists minutes before they were brought
before the court.
The proceedings were adjourned following protests from the lawyers
and are expected to resume Monday.
Amnesty International is also concerned about reports that prison
officers at the Magistrates court in Harare prevented the defence
lawyers from taking instructions from their clients before they
were transferred to Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Security
Prison.
"This restriction of the right of the activists to access
their lawyer is unnecessary and throws serious doubts on the likelihood
the detainees will receive a fair trial," said Michelle Kagari.
"The police continue to selectively apply the law in favour
of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party."
Last month ZANU-PF supporters carried out attacks against opposition
supporters in Harare's suburb of Mbare, but to date, the police
have not arrested anyone.
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