SENIOR MEMBERS OF ZIMBABWE LAW SOCIETY ARRESTED
IN NEW PHASE OF CLAMPDOWN ON GOVERNMENT CRITICS

June 5, 2002

The arrest and detention of Sternford Moyo and Wilbert Mapombere, on June 3, demonstrate that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is stepping up his campaign of harassment and intimidation against those who speak out against his policies.  Mr. Moyo, president of Zimbabwe's Law Society, has for many months been critical of President Mugabe's attempts to subvert the rule of law and his regime's violations of basic human rights.  In particular, the Law Society has expressed grave concern about the persecution of independent members of the judiciary, which has caused several judges to resign.

Mr. Moyo and Mr. Mapombere, who is the Law Society's secretary, were arrested in the evening of June 3, then released and rearrested early the next morning.  The police alleged that the two lawyers had written a letter calling for the suspension of talks between Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).  The police claimed that Mr. Moyo and Mr. Mapombere intended to encourage public protests and stated that they were likely to be charged under the Public Order and Security Act with seeking the overthrow of the "constitutional government of Zimbabwe." (See Human Rights First statement on Public Order and Security Act, of January 11, 2002, and background analysis of December 19, 2001)  The MDC Secretary-General has denied receiving the alleged letter and has called the arrests "a political issue calculated to intimidate the Law Society."

On June 4, lawyers for Mr. Moyo and Mr. Mapombere applied to the Zimbabwean High Court to have them released from detention.  The lawyers requested, among other things, that the court declare the arrest and detention unlawful.  However, the two have not been released at the time of this writing.

In April 2001, Sternford Moyo sent a letter to the Zimbabwean police commissioner, expressing concern about the rising incidents of police officers harassing and attacking lawyers.     In its 2001 annual report, the Law Society also drew attention to the "growing atmosphere of lawlessness" in Zimbabwe and voiced alarm about the state of the judiciary and the forced resignation of Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay.   The Law Society has received international recognition for its support of the rule of law in Zimbabwe and for its outspoken defense of the independence of the judiciary.

Since the March 2002 presidential elections, President Mugabe has increased his repression of political opposition leaders and supporters, independent journalists, human rights defenders and others who dare criticize his regime.   Using broad powers contained in the Public Order and Security Act, and other recent legislation, the government has prevented peaceful meetings and demonstrations from taking place and the expression of legitimate political views.  The arrest of two of the country's most senior lawyers indicates that the government intends to continue its campaign against individuals and groups that expose violations of human rights and the rule of law.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Please write to Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa demanding the immediate release of Sternford Moyo and Wilbert Mapombere and the dropping of any charges that have been made against them on the basis of real or alleged peaceful, political speech.  Urge the Minister to ensure that lawyers in Zimbabwe are not inhibited in any way from fulfilling their professional tasks and that the government comply with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.  Call upon him to protect human rights defenders and guarantee freedom of expression, association and assembly for all Zimbabweans, as required under regional and international human rights standards.

Should you require more information, please contact Lorna Davidson (212 845 5251, defenders@humanrightsfirst.org) or Matthew Bray (212 845 5298, Braym@humanrightsfirst.org). 

Human Rights First documents on the crisis in Zimbabwe 

Please send your letters to:

Mr. Patrick Chinamasa
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Mr. John Nkomo
Minister of Home Affairs

Care of:

H.E. Dr. Simbi V. Mubako
Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United States
1608 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
Fax: 202 483 9326
E-mail: zimemb@erols.com

Or send the letter electronically