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Treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai & others - Index of articles
MDC condemns conviction of 6 human rights defenders
Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC)
March
09, 2012
The MDC denounces
today's conviction of human rights activist, Munyaradzi Gwisai
and five others of conspiracy to commit crime by plotting
to topple the government of Zimbabwe.
As part of the
inclusive government, the MDC dissociates itself from claims by
the State that the six human rights defenders wanted to topple the
government of Zimbabwe through watching video clips.
We totally condemn
the persecution through prosecution of the six in the first place
and their conviction today at the Harare Magistrates' Courts
is another assault on democracy and human rights.
All the six
are innocent victims of a barbaric and senseless Zanu PF dictatorship.
Gwisai, a former
MP for Highfield, is the general coordinator of International
Socialist Organisation (ISO). The others who were found guilty
today are; Antoinette Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma,
Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto.
The convictions
are a clear sign that Zanu PF is desperate and is using the State
in denying the people of Zimbabwe their democratically and constitutional
rights of freedom of movement and gathering.
It is beyond
belief for the State to assume that people can topple a government
by simply viewing old video footage of events from Tunisia and Egypt.
We find it strange
and barbaric that they are convicted for watching video material
that is already in the public domain and can be accessed by anyone
from anywhere in the world.
The MDC is concerned
by the increase in the continued abuse of State machinery by Zanu
PF to suppress the people's views for narrow political gains.
The MDC urges
the people of Zimbabwe to remain unwavering and not to be cowed
into submission by partisan State machinery that wants to drag Zimbabwe
into a failed State. We urge the people to remain united in their
fight for democracy and real change.
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