Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights updates on located disappeared

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has released two press releases, one on December 26th 2008, and one on January 6th 2009, describing lawyers attempts “by lawyers to get judges and magistrates to deal with applications relating to abducted activists, and to get police and prison authorities to obey those orders eventually granted.”

Jestina Mukoko led to Court (Photo from Zim Daily).

One of the activists is Jestina Mukoko. Her disappearance and that of others (including a two-year old minor) was subject to extensive news coverage all over the world and led to pressure from national and international NGOs.

17 activists have now been located. All are in police custody. The fate of 10 others remains unconfirmed.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, in its two press releases, provides a detailed timeline of events up to the 6th of January 2009, 9 AM. The timelines provide a disturbing insight into the State’s contempt for human life, dignity, international legislation, national laws and its own court system.

While the whereabouts of 17 activists are confirmed the situation remains extremely dangerous. Most of them (including the 2 year old minor and his mother) are in solitary confinement. Access to lawyers and medical care has been extremely limited at best and inexistent in most cases. Those who have had brief access to doctors and/or lawyers bear visible traces of torture. It is also disturbing to notice some activists are transferred to other places of detention. The State then fails to provide timely and adequate information about these transfers.

The activists have been charged since December 29 with crimes varying from the training and recruiting of bandits, insurgents or terrorists, to the bombing of police stations.

It is clear from the reports that the ingredients for enforced disappearance are still present and the danger remains imminent.

For more information please read:

• Zimbabwe: Further Developments Relating to Individuals Subjected to Enforced Disappearances (press release Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, 26-12-08)
• Zimbabwe: Timeline of Events Relating to Located Abductees (press release Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, 6-01-09).