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Treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai & others - Index of articles
Sentencing of activists a setback for freedom of expression
Amnesty International
March 21, 2012
The decision
to convict and sentence six activists to community service and a
fine for organizing a video screening on events in North Africa
last year is a setback for freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, Amnesty
International said.
The court ordered
the men to carry out 420 hours of community service and fined them
US$500 after they were found guilty of "conspiracy
to commit public violence".
"The court's
decision to convict people who were merely exercising their internationally
guaranteed right to freedom of expression is simply shocking. It's
a reminder that Zimbabwe is still an unsafe place for activists,"
said Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International's Director
for Africa.
"This ruling instils
fear in anyone defending human rights in Zimbabwe. It is likely
to restrict the work of activists in the country, and the convictions
should be overturned immediately."
The six convicted
activists are University
of Zimbabwe law lecturer and former opposition parliamentarian
Munyaradzi Gwisai, anti-debt campaigner Hopewell Gumbo, Zimbabwe
Labour Centre director Antoneta Choto, student leader Welcome Zimuto,
and social activists Eddson Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarara.
Munyaradzi Gwisai and
44 social justice, trade union and human rights activists were arrested
by police in February 2011 as they were attending a lecture entitled
'Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia - What lessons can be learnt
by Zimbabwe and Africa'. Thirty-nine of the activists were
later acquitted.
Following their arrest,
all six activists told the court that they were tortured while in
police custody and spent some 27 days in jail before being released
on stringent bail conditions.
"The conviction
of these activists shows there is still an urgent need for reforms
to ensure respect for people's human rights in Zimbabwe. The
unity government has done little to respect and protect fundamental
freedoms" said Erwin van der Borght.
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