A STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT SITUATION_240809_071931

Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference has expressed worry over the current arrests and alleged tortures of human rights defenders ahead of the SADC Heads of State Summit set for the 17th of August.
In its statement the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference states that we are conscious of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of States meeting that is taking place from the 17th of August, 2024. It is in preparation for this important meeting that we are seeing the resurgence of some ugly vices.
“This is sad in a democratic nation that knows the value of human dignity, freedom of association, speech, such vices have no place as they contradict some of the fundamental values that form the bedrock of our national constitution,” read part of the ZCBC’s statement.
The statement by the ZCBC comes at a time when the country is reeling from the ghost of violence, intimidation, arrests and prosecution of human rights defenders. The arrests have been escalating since June when interim leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change and 77 other activists where arrests and are currently in remand prison.
Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi and Vusimuzi Moyo werearbitrarily arrested signifying the restriction of political participation by members of the Zimbabwean society perceived to be critical of the government. The arrests, torture and detention are both acts meant to limit the ability of ordinary people to engage in political processes thereby suppressing alternative voices.
“As Zimbabwe we are a people with a culture of tolerance, and we value diversity. Let this be seen in how we conduct our businesses and how articulate our grievances. We are appeal to all concerned; to exercise their rights responsibly and to the government we call for restraint. We have seen the wanton arrests of citizens under frivolous charges. Some of the arrested have been denied bail. Surely even those who have committed crime deserve to be treated in a just manner. They cannot be denied their fundamental rights. Let us safeguard the human rights enshrined in our Constitution,” read part of the ZCBC’s statement.
Civil Society organizations and church has condemned these violations as a way of promoting accountability and good governance contributing to a just and equitable society.