ROHR Press Release – 17 February 2009
Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe will hold a peaceful demonstration in Harare on 18 February 2009 protesting against the continued detention of prisoners of conscience at Chikurubi Maximum prison and other places of detention.
32 human rights activists and Movement for Democratic Change supporters continue to be incarcerated since 2008 and only 22 of the 32 have been brought before the courts.
The inclusive Government is failing to ensure the release of Jestina Mukoko, Director of Zimbabwe Peace Project, Frank Muchirahondo and Daniel Mlenga both USAID employees and many other prisoners of conscience. This is despite assurances by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai that the political detainees will be released hastily. On the contrary arrests are increasing as six WOZA activists are detained for holding a peaceful demonstration. On Friday 13 February the deputy Minister of Agriculture Roy Bennett was arrested on treason charged which were later dropped and exchanged for attempted insurgency, terrorism and banditry.
As ROHR Zimbabwe we strongly castigate the deliberate attempt to hold human rights and political activists captive for as long as the Government pleases through unnecessary legal technicalities, considering that their abduction was unlawful in the first place. It is an abuse of these citizen’s rights to freedom and a right to a comfortable life.
The demonstration will be held to put pressure on the inclusive government to release the detainees. We believe it is against the spirit of the Global Political Agreement signed in September 2008 that has given birth to a Unity Government. ROHR Zimbabwe will also join other civic organisations in a combined solidarity action planned for tomorrow at the Rotten Row Courts 9am.
For more information: Edgar Chikuvire, Information Director
Phone: +263 912 426638, +263 (4) 744593
Email:
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Website: www.rohrzimbabwe.org
