Second UA: 76/19 Index: AFR 46/0773/2019 Zimbabwe
Date: 31 July 2019
URGENT ACTION
ACTIVISTS RELEASED ON BAIL, AWAITING TRIAL
The trial of seven activists, charged with treason for attending a training in the Maldives,
has yet to begin due to the authorities’ lack of preparedness. The activists have appeared
in court three times and the next court date is on 1 August. The activists were released
between 7 and 10 June on bail of ZWL$1000 each and on condition that they report to the
police station every day.
TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
His Excellency, Emmerson D Mnangagwa
Munhumutapa Building
Cnr Samora Machel Avenue and Sam Nujoma
Private Bag 7700
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Email: info@opc.gov.zw
Your Excellency President Mnangagwa,
I write to you to express serious concern over the treason charges levelled against seven activists George Makoni,
Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura, Nyasha Mpahlo, Farirai Gumbonzvanda, Sitabile Dewa and Rita
Nyamupinga simply for attending a training organised by the Center for Non-Violence Action and Strategies
(CANVAS) in Maldives from 15 to 17 May.
The seven activists were arrested in May on arrival back into the country, detained and charged with ‘subverting a
constitutional government’ under Section 22 (2) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) which attracts a
sentence of more than 20 years in prison. They were released between 7 and 10 June on bail of ZWL$1000 each
and on condition that they report to the police station every day.
They have appeared in court for trial three times, on 12 July, 19 July and 25 July. In all appearances, their case has
been postponed due to the authorities’ lack of preparedness. The next court date is set for 1 August.
The activists should never have been charged in the first place since attending a training on non-violent activism is
not a crime. Their trial is part of a disturbing trend by your government to intimidate and harass activists.
Your Excellency, I call on you to;
Ensure the charges against the seven activists are dropped immediately and unconditionally;
To ensure an end to the crackdown on human rights defenders and activists and judicial persecution of
human rights defenders, activists and opposition members;
Ensure respect for the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression as enshrined in
the Constitution and human rights treaties to which Zimbabwe is a state party.
Yours sincerely,