Zimbabwe: Civil society appeals for govt protection

Harare – Zimbabwean civic society on Wednesday appealed for protection from President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s unity government in the wake of rising threats and harassment of human rights activists by state security agents.

Addressing a press conference in Harare ZimRights director Okay Machisa said despite the formation of the government of national unity last year, the last three months have seen an escalation in threats, intimidation and harassment of civic activists by state security agents working with the supporters of Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.

Machisa said last week members of the ZimRights board received a series of mobile text messages warning them against going ahead with plans to conduct civic education in rural areas on the constitution making process.

Several other activists such as ZimRights regional chairperson for Mashonaland West Nunurai Jena, Chitungwiza regional chairperson Netsai Kaitano and Jabulisa Tshuma, the organisation’s treasurer had received the threatening messages.

“Security agents should strictly observe the principles of the rule of law and should adhere to the laws and regulations governing their operations,” said Machisa in a statement.

 “ZimRights and ZLHR have also taken note of the renewed rhetoric against NGOs emanating from some ministers and governors accusing some NGOs of interfering in the stalled constitution making process,” he added.

The press conference was attended by leaders of various civil society organisations including the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

The civil society leaders said they had approached Tsvangirai highlighting the increase in incidents of violence and threats against their members. Their efforts to engage the co-Home Affairs ministers were fruitless.

State security agents have been accused in the past of repression against human rights defenders and other representatives of civil society in Zimbabwe to try to intimidate them from recording or publicising cases of rights violations.

- March 04, 2010 by Charles Tembo

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Source: www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx (accessed on 05.03.2010)