Amnesty International Zimbabwe has called on the government to release the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party members who were arrested in Avondale, Harare, where they had gathered to commemorate the Day of the African Child on June 16.
They had met at the residence of Jameson Timba in Harare.
The 79 members are being charged with gathering with intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct.
One of the members arrested was a nursing mother, and another was a 17-year-old minor who has since been released to the custody of his parent, leaving a total of 77 in custody.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisè, reiterated that the arrest and continued arbitrary detention is part of a disturbing pattern of repression against people exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
“The arrest and continued arbitrary detention of 77 opposition members who had peacefully gathered at a private residence is part of a disturbing pattern of repression against people exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” Farisè said.
“Zimbabwean authorities must immediately and unconditionally release these opposition members and drop all charges against them. Authorities must also uphold Zimbabwe’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, including the rights to peaceful assembly, liberty, and freedom from torture and other ill-treatment.”
Farisè added that the government must consider that some of the activists were allegedly tortured while in police custody and need medical attention.
“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently, and effectively investigate allegations that some of those arrested were tortured while in police custody and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible. Authorities must also ensure those affected receive urgent medical attention,” Farisè said.
