(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is strongly condemning the continuing detention of Mark Chavunduka, editor of the weekly “Standard”. **Updates IFEX alerts of 13 January 1999** Chavunduka, 34, was arrested by military police officers in Harare on 12 January 1999 and is being detained at Cranborne military barracks in connection with an article which the independent Sunday […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is strongly condemning the continuing detention of Mark
Chavunduka, editor of the weekly “Standard”.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 13 January 1999**
Chavunduka, 34, was arrested by military police officers in Harare on 12
January 1999 and is being detained at Cranborne military barracks in
connection with an article which the independent Sunday paper published
regarding an alleged coup attempt in December 1998 and the arrest of twenty
three soldiers, including seven officers. According to IPI, no charge has
been lodged against Chavunduka, he has been denied access to his lawyer and
family, and it is feared that he may be ill-treated or tortured while in
custody.
IPI is informed that the army allegedly ignored an order issued by the high
court on 14 January to release Chavunduka and that the “Standard” will seek
a contempt of court order against the ministry of defence.
Defence Minister Moven Mahachi has denied the coup story and threatened
stern action against the “Standard” for allegedly publishing lies. According
to the “Standard”, military police visited the newspaper’s offices on 12
January demanding to see a second senior journalist on the paper, Ray Choto.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
Zimbabwe’s international legal obligations with regard to the right to
freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights
Appeals To
His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
Office of the President
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 4 728799 / 708820 / 734644
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