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Zimbabwe human rights group condemns treatment of imprisoned activists

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Human rights group Zimbabwean Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Tuesday announced the release of a revealing and in depth report detailing how lawyers and justice officials within Zimbabwe have allowed the illegal detention and abuse of several political activists. The report points to specific incidents where lawyers for the activists were denied access to their clients and also provides evidence that many of those jailed have been tortured. Although a judge last month ordered the release or transfer of all of the activists based upon these charges of alleged abuse, the state-run law enforcement has yet to act on this judicial mandate. In a related development, seven opposition party members were charged Wednesday for allegedly participating in the bombing of a police station Harare, an attack that many believe was perpetrated by the police themselves. The suspects pleaded not guilty. Among the detainees who have allegedly been abused is Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project. Mukoko, an outspoken critic of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was apprehended from her home last month and held in an undisclosed location for several weeks because of her alleged involvement in Mugabe's opposition. While in prison, it was reported that Mukoko was forced to ingest poison, an allegation that has sparked a world wide protest against Zimbabwean police methods. On Monday, a judge ordered that Mukoko's trial be put on hold until she receives medical care.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on January 07, 2009 (boomark / email).