Freedom House Condemns Arrest of Zimbabwean Civil Society Leader
Freedom House strongly condemns the recent arrest of prominent Zimbabwean civil society leader, Okay Machisa. The arrest reflects a troubling trend of increased harassment by state security forces against civil society working in the country and further calls into question the country’s ability to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections in the coming year.
On Monday, Machisa, director of leading Zimbabwean human rights group ZimRights, was arrested by police on charges of conspiring to commit voter registration fraud and publishing or communicating falsehoods that are prejducial to the state. Machisa, along with ZimRights Secretary Faith Manutse, presented themselves to police following the issuance of summons by the Law and Order Section at the Harare Central Police Station. The pair was accompanied by their counsel, human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa. This incident follows similar charges brought against ZimRights deputy of national programs coordinator Leo Chamahqinya last December, who currently remains in prison awaiting trial. According to local Freedom House partners, efforts continue to secure the release of Machisa and Leo Chamahwinya.
The arrest of Machisa illustrates an alarming trend of state harassment targeting civil society working on important governance and human rights issues in Zimbabwe. Over the past months, police have raided the offices of several prominent civil society organizations, often on spurious legal grounds. Many of the groups targeted are working on activities to prepare the country for the upcoming constitutional referendum and national elections, both anticipated for the coming year. Many experts expect the trend of harassment to continue as political tensions increase in the lead up to these important political processes.
Learn more:
Freedom in the World 2012: Zimbabwe
Freedom of the Press 2012: Zimbabwe
Freedom on the Net 2012: Zimbabwe
Countries at the Crossroads 2012: Zimbabwe
Blog: Freedom at Issue