Global Issues
RIGHTS-ZIMBABWE: MDC, Activists Demand Release of Detainees
A coalition of human rights and pressure groups fighting for political reform in Zimbabwe and refugee community in South Africa has called for the immediate release of 18 members activists who have been detained on terrorism charges.
United under the banner of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, demonstrators outside South Africa's Parliament buildings in Cape Town called on the South African government and the Southern African Development Community to guarantee that human rights and rule of law is restored in Zimbabwe.
Prominent human rights campaigner and Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) director Jestina Mukoko and 17 others were arrested on May 5 and will remain in custody awaiting trial beginning in July. The activists - several of whom are members of of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party - had previously been detained but released on bail.
'We implore the South African Parliament to use all of its influence to ensure the speedy and safe release of the political detainees and to urge SADC to use every means at its disposal in ensuring that they are released.' Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (ZSF) Coordinator Sipho Theys said.
Harare magistrate Catherine Chimanda directed that the activists be detained. They are facing charges of scheming to oust President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party and recruiting people for military training in neighbouring Botswana.
If convicted, the activists face the death penalty in a case that has the potential to drive a stake into the heart of Zimbabwe’s inclusive government.
'If Zimbabwe continues to violate human rights in such a manner, South Africa is only dealing with the symptoms of the problems created by mass migration,' Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (ZSF) coordinator Sipho Theys said.
'The Zimbabwean government must face consequences,' he said. 'Action must be taken by South Africa against the Mugabe Regime as the safety of these detainees is of grave concern particularly given their public exposure of the torture, humiliation and violent assault they faced when they were first abducted. It must be recognised that they are in danger and that these actions place their lives under serious threat.'
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition's South Africa director Elinor Sisulu said the re-arrest of the activists threatens the longevity and durability of the power-sharing government.
‘The detention of the previously-released Zimbabwean civil society and opposition activists, including a 72-year-old man, is a massive blow to any hopes of a peaceful transition.' Sisulu said
'It has become clear that none of the mechanisms put in place by SADC and the government of national unity can protect the citizens of Zimbabwe from the military generals,' she added.
Meanwhile the Morgan Tsvangirai-led faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) has set May 11 as the deadline for the resolution of all outstanding issues with the power-sharing agreement.
MDC-T secretary-general and new government’s finance minister Tendai Biti gave an ultimatum addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters on May 6.
Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a smaller faction of the MDC, have both complained that it will be difficult for the unity government to progress while a list of outstanding issues - including the freedom of all political prisoners - remained unsettled.
Other unresolved issues include the appointment of provincial governors, permanent secretaries and diplomats, and the re-appointments of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana as Attorney-general.
Also of concern to the MDC was the refusal by Robert Mugabe to swear in MDC treasurer-general, Hon. Roy Bennett as the deputy Minister of Agriculture and the unilateral grabbing of ministerial portfolios by Mugabe.
Biti said Bennett was innocent until proven guilty. He said according to the GPA, which was now part of the Constitution of Zimbabwe; Mugabe had no powers to refuse to swear-in Bennett after being nominated by his party.
'There are a number of toxic and poisonous attitudes that some of these institutions are showing. Their attitude is as if they are in a war situation. We find it unacceptable that when we want to make progress there are some people whose conduct is inconsistent with rebuilding a new Zimbabwe,' he added.
© Inter Press Service (2009) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service