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International PEN to launch free-expression campaign on Zimbabwe
International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)
Communique # 11-40
October 15, 2002

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is launching a campaign on Zimbabwe at the end of October aimed at focusing pressure on the government of Robert Mugabe to free imprisoned journalists and repeal recently enacted laws curbing free expression.

Set to run from 28 October to 10 November, the campaign invites IFEX members and other participants to send letters of appeal to Zimbabwean authorities over a two-week period calling for an end to criminal
proceedings against journalists and the restoration of free expression. The government of Zimbabwe must "protect the right of journalists to report without fear of physical attack or judicial harassment," says
WiPC.

During the first week (28 October - 3 November), letters of appeal are needed in support of 18 journalists who have been sentenced, detained and threatened with death this year or face charges, WiPC says. The journalists include "Daily News" editor-in-chief Geoffrey Nyarota, who faces numerous charges, including criminal defamation; "Guardian" reporter Andrew Meldrum, facing deportation; and journalists Robson Sharuko, Petros Kausiyo, Simba Rushwaya and Basildon Peta, all of whom received death threats this year.

WiPC says letters of appeal are also needed during the week of 4-10 November to pressure the Zimbabwean government into repealing the Public Order and Security Act and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The Public Order and Security Act makes it illegal to undermine the authority of the president or make false statements about him and is so vaguely worded that any criticism of Robert Mugabe can land an
individual in jail, WiPC says.

Meanwhile, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, declared unconstitutional by the Zimbabwean parliament's Legal Committee, grants the government greater powers to decide which
journalists may practice their profession in the country and to prevent foreign reporters from working in the country.

To participate in the campaign, contact Dixe Wills of WiPC dixe@wipcpen.org

Visit these links:

- WiPC: www.internatpen.org
- ARTICLE 19 Report on Zimbabwe: www.article19.org/docimages/1262.doc
- Media Institute of Southern Africa: www.misa.org
- MediaChannel.org's Special Background Report on Zimbabwe:
www.mediachannel.org/originals/Zimbabwe.shtml

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