Amnesty International welcomes the release on bail of a Zimbabwean activist detained for five weeks after he exposed human rights violations in the country's Marange diamond fields.
Farai Maguwu was released on Monday on conditional bail of US$1,500 by a Harare court, after the judge dismissed prosecutors' claims that he could interfere with witnesses involved in police investigations into his alleged crimes.
Detained since 3 June, Farai Maguwu was charged with "publishing or communicating false information prejudicial to the state," after he reportedly told a diamond trade monitor about the abuses carried out by security forces in the Marange diamond fields.
Read the News Update
Human Rights in Zimbabwe
People in Zimbabwe suffer state-sponsored intimidation, arbitrary arrest, torture, and even killings. Supporters of the political opposition, human rights defenders and the independent media are often targeted for attack or other mistreatment. These human rights violations happen in the context of severe economic decline, food shortages and mass forced evictions. Amnesty works with human rights defenders in Zimbabwe and around the world to publicize this situation. This blog provides information, updates and activism opportunities to assist in the defense and promotion of human rights in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe diamond fields activist released on bail
13 July 2010 12:54 pm
Posted by: Lindsay Mossman
Zimbabwe diamond fields activist must be released
7 July 2010 10:53 am
Posted by: Lindsay Mossman
Amnesty International today called on the Zimbabwean government to release an activist who is being detained after he exposed human rights violations in the country’s Marange diamond fields.
Farai Maguwu has been detained since June 3, and charged with “publishing or communicating false information prejudicial to the state”, after he reportedly told a diamond trade monitor about human rights violations carried out by security forces in the Marange diamond fields.
The activist had handed himself in to the police after members of his family were beaten and interrogated by state officials.
On Friday, a Harare Magistrate denied Farai Maguwu bail after the state prosecutor said more time was needed to complete investigations. Lawyers are appealing the court’s decision to deny him bail.
Read the News Release
Farai Maguwu has been detained since June 3, and charged with “publishing or communicating false information prejudicial to the state”, after he reportedly told a diamond trade monitor about human rights violations carried out by security forces in the Marange diamond fields.
The activist had handed himself in to the police after members of his family were beaten and interrogated by state officials.
On Friday, a Harare Magistrate denied Farai Maguwu bail after the state prosecutor said more time was needed to complete investigations. Lawyers are appealing the court’s decision to deny him bail.
Read the News Release
Zimbabwe: Shock at continued detention of human rights activist
7 July 2010 10:53 am
Posted by: Lindsay Mossman
Amnesty International calls on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately and unconditionally release detained human rights defender, Farai Maguwu. He has been in custody since 3 June 2010, when he presented himself to the police and was arrested on allegations of “publishing or communication false information prejudicial to the state.”
Today, a Harare Magistrate denied Maguwu bail following state submissions that more time was needed to continue with investigations. Maguwu’s bail application was repeatedly postponed before being heard by the court. Maguwu’s lawyers believe that the state is delaying the release of their client as a way of punishment for exposing human rights violations by security forces in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields in Marange (Manicaland province).
On 1 July a police inspector told the court that he had failed to interview Abbey Chikane, the Kimberly Process (KP) Zimbabwe monitor, who is a key state witness in the case against Maguwu.
Maguwu’s lawyers are appealing the court’s decision.
Read the Public Statement
Today, a Harare Magistrate denied Maguwu bail following state submissions that more time was needed to continue with investigations. Maguwu’s bail application was repeatedly postponed before being heard by the court. Maguwu’s lawyers believe that the state is delaying the release of their client as a way of punishment for exposing human rights violations by security forces in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields in Marange (Manicaland province).
On 1 July a police inspector told the court that he had failed to interview Abbey Chikane, the Kimberly Process (KP) Zimbabwe monitor, who is a key state witness in the case against Maguwu.
Maguwu’s lawyers are appealing the court’s decision.
Read the Public Statement
Attack on activists sparks fears of new wave of Zimbabwe violence
7 July 2010 10:52 am
Posted by: Lindsay Mossman
Amnesty International has warned that Zimbabwe could be hit by a new wave of political violence, following a spate of attacks on human rights activists by supporters of President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party in the past week.
Three human rights monitors were captured and beaten with logs by Zanu-PF supporters on Sunday, in the latest incident since a process of consultation over a new Zimbabwean constitution began on 16 June.
"This intimidation and harassment of activists undermines Zimbabwe's efforts to form a new constitution with public consultation and it is also a worrying reminder of the organised violence that took place in 2008," said Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International’s Africa director.
Read the News Update
Zimbabwe: 700,000 forcibly evicted still ignored five years on
18 May 2010 10:34 am
Posted by: Keith Rimstad
The government of Zimbabwe must take action to protect hundreds of thousands of people left to survive in substandard settlements five years after a program of mass forced evictions, Amnesty International Zimbabwe and a coalition of partners said today.
Amnesty International and the Coalition Against Forced Evictions are calling on the government to provide adequate alternative accommodation or compensation to those left homeless and jobless.
“It is a scandal that five years on, victims are left to survive in plastic shacks without basic essential services. The needs of these victims are at risk of being forgotten because their voices are consistently ignored,” said Amnesty International Zimbabwe’s director Cousin Zilala.
Zimbabwe: Stop harassing opponents of former government
10 May 2010 3:06 pm
Posted by: Keith Rimstad
The Zimbabwe authorities must stop harassing political opponents and government critics, Amnesty International said today, following the acquittal of a critic of President Robert Mugabe accused of plotting to overthrow him.
Roy Bennett, a Movement for Democratic Change official, had been charged with “conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential services” following his arrest in February 2008. He was acquitted by a Harare court on Monday.
"While welcoming the acquittal of Roy Bennett, we remain concerned about persistent abuse of the law against perceived opponents of the former ZANU-PF government,” said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Africa.
Zimbabwe: Grant Radio Dialogue a broadcasting licence!
30 April 2010 11:29 am
Posted by: Hilary Homes
Founded in Bulawayo in 2001, Radio Dialogue is a non-profit community radio station which aims to engage its listeners in discussions of current political, social, and economic issues affecting Zimbabweans. Their slogan, “Giving You a Voice,” expresses their goal of promoting tolerance, understanding and strong community relationships.
Although the Government of National Unity (GNU) made a commitment in 2008 to immediately process all applications for broadcasting registration, Radio Dialogue’s application has not been assessed. Radio Dialogue staff members have also held numerous meetings with the relevant government officials but continue to be denied a licence. Staff members have also been subject to harassment and intimidation by the Zimbabwean authorities in a political environment in which journalists are tightly monitored and controlled by state agents.
Zimbabwean police must end intimidation of activists
20 April 2010 1:46 pm
Posted by: Keith Rimstad
20 April 2010
Amnesty International has urged the Zimbabwe police to end their intimidation of activists and stop preventing them from exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
The call came as four female activists arrested and kept in custody without charge for five days following a peaceful demonstration were released after the Attorney General’s office refused to prosecute them.
Photos show life in Zimbabwe after 30 years of independence – News Update
20 April 2010 1:42 pm
Posted by: Keith Rimstad
18 April 2010
On Sunday, Zimbabwe commemorates 30 years since the end of colonial rule.
However, the celebration of Zimbabwe’s independence is marred by the plight of hundreds of thousands of victims of human rights violations for whom freedom and dignity remain out of reach.
To mark the 30-year anniversary, Amnesty International has released a series of exclusively commissioned photographs showing the effects on those who were evicted en masse in 2005 under Operation Murambatsvina.
Zimbabwe urged to allow debate on past human rights violations after police block art exhibitions
20 April 2010 1:37 pm
Posted by: Keith Rimstad
30 March 2010
Amnesty International today called on Zimbabwe’s Government to end repression of public debate on past and ongoing human rights violations, following the detention of a well known artist for work depicting atrocities committed in the 1980’s.
Owen Maseko was arrested on 26 March after participating in a show at the Bulawayo National Art Gallery, which depicted atrocities that took place in the Matabeleland region, known as Gukuruhundi, in western Zimbabwe during the 1980s where thousands of people were killed, mainly by state security agents.