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Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) raid and arrests
OSISA
M ay 21, 2010

On Friday 21 May 2010, police raided the offices of GALZ in Milton Park, Harare. The police had a warrant to search for dangerous drugs and pornographic material citing contravention of Section 157 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 and Section 32 (1) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act Chapter 10:04.

The two GALZ staff members, Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Mhambi who were arrested on Friday are still in police custody and have not appeared before the courts as the police are still "finalising paperwork".

The police returned to the GALZ offices on Sunday 23 May 2010 under claims that they were notified that our office had been raided. They requested entry into the office after being informed that the guard did not have keys; they left a message that they were to return on Monday 24 May 2010 to carry out another search. At the time of release of this statement, the police had not been to GALZ office to carry out their search.

Although GALZ has managed to secure legal representation and is working with human rights organisations to provide technical support, there still remains threat of more arrests of GALZ staff. GALZ's immediate concern is the safety and security of members of staff, general and board members.

We continue to encourage our friends and allies to contact the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum and OSISA about appropriate measures. In the interest of the safety of those on the ground both with LGBTI groups and those who seek to support them we are urging caution at this stage.

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