The seizure from a plane, and detention and torture of some of Zimbabwe’s four human rights activists in Harare yesterday has a chilling effect on opposition and dissenting voices, while it highlights renewed political repression sweeping through the nation, human rights groups say.
This comes as government is cracking down on dissent ahead of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit in Harare in just over two weeks’ time.
Government usually descends on human rights activists before important summits to prevent them from protests or talking about the current political and socio-economic problems in Zimbabwe, including egregious violations of civil and political liberties amid economic woes.
The activists arrested included prominent civil society actor Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Vusumuzi Moyo and former Ward 5 councillor, Samuel Gwenzi.
Kwekweza, a feisty activist, is the founder and Director of WELEAD Trust, a fearless civil society actor who mobilises young people to defend democractic freedoms and the rule of law. Despite persecution, she has remained firm on her mission.
Through WELEAD Trust, Kwekweza promotes youth participation, leadership and advocacy.
Human rights groups say the four were detained by state for at least eight hours and one of them badly tortured.
Chere was “severely tortured”, they said.
It is said they are being charged for disorderly conduct after participating in a demonstration for the release of former MP and minister Jameson Timba and scores of others arrested and detained on 16 June for gathering at a house in Avondale over a braai and discussion of issues of interest.
They are being charged with planning to commit public violence.Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights director Roselyn Hanzi says the use of torture against citizens is unconstitutional, illegal and a crime against humanity.
“The practice of torture is barbaric, archaic. Torture is a crime against humanity. It is a jus cogen norm (principle of international law which binds all states and does not allow any exceptions).
“Torture is regarded as part of customary international law and all states are bound by customary international law. It is very sad that Chere was severely tortured during his incommunicado detention of about eight hours.”
Hanzi adds:”Torture is an international criminal law offence: a crime under international criminal law. Whoever commits torture can be prosecuted in another country (jurisdiction) even if their home government has not criminalised torture. Zimbabwe cannot protect those who torture beyond its borders.”It is time we identified those who have tortured and those who ordered such torture so that they can be prosecuted internationally.”
