Ongoing arbitrary detention of Ms. Florence Ndlovu for discussing torture issues

Zimbabwe: Ongoing arbitrary detention of Ms. FlorenceNdlovu for discussing torture issues

Paris-Geneva, May 27, 2011. The Observatory for the Protection ofHuman Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation forHuman Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), stronglycondemns the arbitrary arrest of two Zimbabwean human rights defenders and thecontinuing detention of one of them, in a context of repression against humanrights defenders prevailing in the country.

On May 23, 2011, Ms. Florence Ndlovu and Mr. Walter Dube, respectively Regional Coordinator for Matabeleland province and Paralegal Officer for Matabeleland, Midlandsand Masvingo provinces for Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), were arbitrarily arrested by the police as theywere coming out of a workshop in Tsholotsho. This arrest took place soon afterthe police disrupted this workshop, which had been convened by ZimRights toraise villagers’ awareness about torture and its effects.

Formore than 48 hours - the legal time-frame within which one can be detainedwithout being brought before Court - the Zimbabwean police denied holding thetwo. Yet, their illegal detention by the police was proved by the presence oftheir vehicle in front of the police station in Matebeleland North province,both on May 23 and 24.

Inthe late afternoon of May 26, 2011, the police finally confirmed theirdetention at Lupane police station. Later in the day, Mr. Dube was releasedwith summons pending further investigation, while Ms. Ndlovu was maintained indetention on charges of contravening Section 31 of the Criminal Law(Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly “communicating false statementsprejudicial to the State”. The two defenders were detained during three dayswithout any access to their lawyers.

Thepolice alleged that Ms. Ndlovu told villagers who participated in ZimRightsworkshop that the “police torture and assault people”. However, Ms. Ndlovudenied the allegations and indicated that she only spoke about examples andscenarios of torture.

TheObservatory strongly condemns Ms. Florence Ndlovu’s detention and urges theZimbabwean authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally, as herdetention seems to merely aim at sanctioning her human rights activities, aswell as to guarantee in all circumstances her physical and psychologicalintegrity.

“Itis clear that Ms. Ndlovu and Mr. Dube have been unlawfully arrested anddetained in retaliation for their legitimate human rights activities. We arevery concerned about Ms. Ndlovu’s physical and psychological integrityconsidering the infamous conditions of detention at the Lupane police station.A few months ahead of the general elections, the authorities of Zimbabwe stillhave to demonstrate their maturity to tolerate free discussions on human rightsissues”, said Ms. Belhassen, FIDH President.

“We are very concerned for all Zimbabweanhuman rights defenders in a context of increasing acts of harassment and intimidation atthis moment and we accordingly call upon the authorities to put an end to all acts of harassmentagainst defenders in the country. The authorities should be particularlycautious to ensure that the rights of those under arrest are not patentlyviolated by law enforcement bodies”, said Eric Sottas, OMCT Secretary General.

Moregenerally, the Observatory urges the authorities in Zimbabwe to comply with theprovisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, as well as all regional and international instruments onhuman rights ratified by Zimbabwe.

For further information, please contact:

· FIDH: Karine Appy / Arthur Manet: + 33 1 43 55 25 18

· OMCT:Delphine Reculeau: + 41 22 809 49 39