Amnesty International has called for the unconditional release of human rights defender Bhekimpilo Mbedzi, who faces charges of inciting citizens to revolt against Constitutional Amendment Act No 3 (CAA3).
Mbedzi, who is also the Matabeleland South provincial chairperson of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), was arrested on July 10 after publicly expressing his intention to protest against the constitutional amendments. Outspoken politician Job Sikhala leads the NDWG.
Mbedzi posted a video on social media calling for protests against the recently enacted CAA3, which extended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.
Mbedzi has been denied bail.
According to the state, he faces charges of ‘inciting an unlawful gathering’, with the prosecution alleging that he failed to notify the relevant authorities of the planned gathering. Amnesty International said Mbedzi did not commit a crime.
“The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Bhekimpilo Mbedzi as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights,” the rights body said.
It also urged ordinary citizens to write to prosecutor general Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo to demand Mbedzi’s release.
In a draft letter to Matanda-Moyo, the rights body said citizens must insist that Mbedzi be released, as he was being detained for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
“These human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, are protected under the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Zimbabwe is a state party,” the letter reads.
“The use of criminal charges against individuals for peacefully expressing dissenting views or mobilising others to participate in peaceful demonstrations risks undermining civic space and discouraging the legitimate exercise of human rights.”
Mnangagwa recently signed CAA3 into law despite court challenges and widespread opposition to the proposed amendments, including from within Zanu PF, war veterans and retired army generals.
The act set far-reaching changes to the country’s constitutional framework, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. It scraps direct presidential elections, expands executive influence over judicial and prosecutorial appointments, and abolishes constitutional commissions, such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
The parliament-led public consultation process was widely criticised by legal experts as inadequate, with reports of intimidation and the silencing of dissenting voices, raising serious concerns about compliance with constitutional due process and regional and international standards on meaningful public participation.
In Harare, human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart was assaulted by suspected Zanu PF supporters after attempting to make submissions.