Harare, April 28, 2004
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemns the continued rising wave of arbitrary arrest and detention of activists and human rights defenders in Zimbabwe. ZimRights' Deputy National Chairperson, Sheba Phiri was arbitrarily arrested by plain clothes police on 28 April, 2004 and detained at Bulawayo Central Police station together with other activists Mr Felix Mafa of PIFT, Goden Moyo of National Constitutional Assembly, Reggie Moyo of Bulawayo Agenda and two others. They were detained, interrogated and released two hours later. The activists are required to make a report at the police station at 1400hrs on 29 April, 2004. Police allege that these activists are conducting illegal activities that include possible plots that threaten national security. There are growing worries that the Government of Zimbabwe continue to perceive NGOs as enemies of the State. Apparently, ZimRights Regional Officer in Masvingo, Ms Mabel Sikhosana was arrested, temporarily detained and later released by Masvingo police on 27 April 2004. She is set to appear before a Masvingo Magistrate on 29 April 2004.
Police details ravaged and searched every room of Sheba Phiri's apartment without producing a search warrant. The police details who claimed that they were working under a 'political directive' took away reports, files and documents on ZimRights activities. Sheba is also an active member of Amnesty International - Zimbabwe and NCA; - any documents related to such organizations were also confiscated. Ms Mabel Sikhosana, ZimRights Regional Officer in Masvingo was arrested and detained by Masvingo Police for allegedly organizing a meeting without informing responsible authorities. These are all trumped-up charges since Sikhosana did not organize any meeting. Meanwhile on a separate incident on Friday 23 April 2004, the house of the ZimRights National Chairman, Mr Arnold Tsunga was broken into; computer diskettes and publications on ZimRights and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were stolen. On 28 April 2004 NCA activists in Harare who had planned a peaceful march were wayled and attacked by Zimbabwe Republic Police details armoured with baton sticks and riot gear. Also on 28 April 004, 27 NCA activists in Mutare were taken off a Harare bound commuter train - briefly detained, interrogated and later released. No charges were preferred against them.
Between January and April 2004 ZimRights legal department has received and handled over 275 reports of unrelenting intimidation of opposition supporters, human rights defenders and activists at the hands of police, youths and militia groups which have been established in communities all over the country for the express aim of thwarting dissent. The links between these militia-groups and Zanu PF are solid and reflections are that their actions are coordinated. Citizens continue to be targeted and harassed because of their political preferences or civil society affiliation. Active political and civic participation is legal in Zimbabwe considering that freedom of association and assembly is a legal right enshrined in the Constitution. Under the African Charter, Articles 10, 11, 12 individuals are entitled to the right to free association, assemble and movement. However, the Government of Zimbabwe has continuously used legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act as a tool of suppressing the full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms. ZimRights believes that Peace and Justice can only be achieved where the government has created conditions whereby every one enjoys his or her civil and political rights.
We call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to guarantee the security of the ordinary person and to ensure the following:
1. stop harassment, arbitrary detention and reprisals of human rights defenders and NGOs
2. ensure restoration of peace and order in the country through the respect of the rule of law
3. ensure the guarantee of fundamental rights, more particularly the respect of freedoms of expression, association and assembly
4. Establish a Human Rights Commission to ensure that there is a full and unbiased investigation into reports of political disorder and citizen beating, identify those responsible and evenly (impartially) apply the relevant penal, administrative and civil sanctions as provided by the law.
Signed
Munyaradzi Bidi
National Director