(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply dismayed that journalists Mark Chavunduka and Ray Choto of the Harare-based “Sunday Standard” newspaper are to face trial in Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court on 4 October 1999, despite widespread international outrage over their case. **Updates IFEX alerts of 10 September, 19 July, 31 and 11 May, 15 March, 24, 12, 11, […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply dismayed that journalists Mark Chavunduka and Ray
Choto of the Harare-based “Sunday Standard” newspaper are to face trial in
Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court on 4 October 1999, despite widespread international
outrage over their case.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 10 September, 19 July, 31 and 11 May, 15 March, 24,
12, 11, 10, 9 and 3 February, 29, 27, 25, 22, 21, 18, 15 and 13 January
1999**
Chavunduka and Choto were arrested and illegally detained on 12 January,
following a report in their newspaper that soldiers had plotted to remove
President Robert Mugabe from power because of alleged economic
mismanagement, and because of Zimbabwe’s military involvement in the war in
the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both journalists were severely tortured by
government agents.
They were charged with publishing false information “likely to cause fear
and despondency” under Section 50(2) of the Law and Order Maintenance Act of
1960 – a discredited piece of legislation that Zimbabwe’s pre-independence
government used to repress black nationalism.
While the two journalists have challenged the validity of the law under
which they have been charged, the Supreme Court has yet to rule on the
issue. And the Supreme Court challenge is only one of several court cases
filed since the two journalists were arrested. Others include civil and
criminal charges against the police and military for wrongful arrest,
detention, assault and torture.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
impart
information and ideas of all kinds, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 9 of the African Charter
of Human and People’s Rights, to all of which Zimbabwe is a signatory
against
Chavunduka and Choto are immediately and unconditionally dropped, and to
launch a thorough and impartial investigation into their brutal treatment at
the hands of government agents
questioned His Excellency’s commitment to democratic values
both
to the people of Zimbabwe and to the international community, that he is in
fact ready to defend fundamental rights and freedoms
Appeals To
His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
Office of the President
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 4 728299 / 708557
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
