BY METHEMBE SIBANDA ZIMBABWEANS in the diaspora have petitioned the government demanding that MDC Alliance activist, Makomborero Haruziviishe must be released from prison.
Last year, Haruziviishe was slapped with a two year prison term for “inciting public violence and resisting arrest”.
The State case alleges that on February 5, 2020 Haruzivishe “blew a whistle to alert protesters to pounce on police during a protest”.
On July 15 last year, he was granted bail, and was immediately detained due pending cases. He was later denied bail.
The petition demanded that government stops the use of legal and administrative mechanisms for repression.
“We note that the government of Zimbabwe is using the law to stifle the public sphere and ensnare human rights advocates like Makomborero Haruziviishe within a complex web of oppressive laws, hostile to the values of democracy and human rights.
“We demand that Zimbabwe as a member of the United Nations General Assembly must respect its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other subsequent practice of United Nations Member States. It goes without say that the government of Zimbabwe has flagrantly disregarded both International law and its Constitution going unabated in sponsoring and conducting politically motivated arrests and prosecutions,” read the petition.
“We demand that all systematic politically motivated cases by the government of Zimbabwe against members of the opposition and civic society be stopped immediately. We note that the arrest and prosecution of Makomborero Haruziviishe is a clear act of persecution and must be stopped. We note that the government of Zimbabwe is using the law to stifle the public sphere and ensnare human rights advocates like Haruziviishe with a complex web of oppressive laws, hostile to the values of democracy and human rights.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The petitioners included Amnesty International, the Human Rights Watch, the United US Nations Member States, UK Parliament, Canada Government, Australia Government, New Zealand Government, ASEAN, Commonwealth Head of States, EU Parliament, Freedom House, SADC, The African Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
426 people have so far signed the petition.
