UK: Activists to stage Parliament Square protest over Zimbabwe arrests

By Political Correspondent

ZIMBABWEAN activists have announced plans to stage a protest in London over the arrest and continued detention of opposition Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) members by the Harare government.

UK-based groups, Women of Zimbabwe and Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), said the protest would be held next Tuesday (July 9) at Parliament Square in London.

Lord Johnny Oates, a British Liberal Democrat politician and member of the House of Lords, who is often vocal on Zimbabwe politics is expected to speak at the demonstration.

CCC leader Jameson Timba and 77 party activists were arrested at his Avondale home in the Zimbabwean capital last month and have been denied bail since.

The opposition party said the activists, now referred to as the ‘Avondale 78’ were having a peaceful party at Timba’s home and described their arrest unlawful.

Reports, at the time, also claimed that the activists “were assaulted, with one woman appearing to have a broken leg”.

At a bail hearing for the 78 held on June 27, police reportedly beat up dozens of opposition supporters and arrested several outside the Harare court holding the bail hearing.

“Multiple arrests have been made since of those calling for their release or attending peaceful gatherings, and members of the government have made increasingly open threats of violence,” reads a joint statement by Women of Zimbabwe and Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA).

Patricia Chinyoka, founder of Women of Zimbabwe: “These arrests are unlawful and unconstitutional,” said Patricia Chinyoka, founder of Women of Zimbabwe.

“Failure to release the Avondale 78 on bail undermines the rights of every Zimbabwean citizen and should not be tolerated in a democracy.

“For how long shall the Zimbabwe authorities continue to persecute innocent Zimbabweans who are perceived to have different views to them?

“The UK diaspora community condemns the systematic jailing of people on politically-motivated grounds.”

Tricia Sibbons, director of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), added; “What we are seeing in Zimbabwe is increasing repression, using arbitrary detention and increasingly open threats from members of President Mnangagwa’s regime.

“Zimbabweans have rights enshrined both in international law and their own constitution which are being violated in what seems like attempts to shut down all democratic freedoms.”

The two groups also expressed concern over what they described as escalating rhetoric and violence in Zimbabwe citing the following developments:

• On 27 June, President Emmanuel Mnangagwa said those believed to be causing trouble would “be dealt with”.
• On 27 June, Reuters reportsthat Zimbabwean police beat dozens of opposition supporters and arrested several outside the Harare court holding the bail hearing.
• On the 29 June, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reported on twitterthat they had arrested five more peopleat a private gathering.
• On 28 June, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Dr Muswere MP in a statementwarned those “involved in subversive activities” that “their days were numbered…”
• Lawyer for the Avondale 78 Agency Gumbo, who is also a sitting MP, reportshaving been warned yesterday (2 July) of being arrested too.