The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) is disturbed by the shocking, cowardly and callous abduction of Jestina Mukoko, the Director of Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) and a Board member of the Forum.
Ms Mukoko is reported to have been abducted from her Norton home around 05:00 hours on 3 December, 2008 by a gang of 15 armed, unidentified men who were driving unmarked vehicles. It is especially worrying to note that more than 48 hours after her abduction there is still no news about her whereabouts. Frantic efforts by lawyers and civil society to locate Jestina have yielded nothing so far.
The Forum is concerned that a spate of abductions and “arrests” reminiscent of the run-up to the bloody June election seems to have been revived. We condemn such human rights violations and urge authorities to ensure that all people who have been abducted, are missing and/or have been “arrested” be released immediately. The Forum joins ZPP and all other stakeholders in the Save Jestina Campaign, in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Jestina and other activists currently detained. We exhort the ZANU PF authorities to respect Article XVIII of the Interparty Political Agreement by ensuring security of persons and prevention of violence. We also implore the police to
uphold the rule of law, respect court orders and release or bring to court the Movement for Democratic Change activists who have been reported missing since October 27th, 2008.
