JOINT STATEMENT: Human rights organisations condemn arrest and continued detention of Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa

The undersigned civil society organisations condemn in the strongest terms the arrest and continued detention of veteran Zimbabwean human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.

Mtetwa was arrested on Sunday, 17 March 2013, while attempting to provide legal assistance to Thabani Mpofu, Director of Research and Development in the Office of the Zimbabwean Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, who was arrested the same day. We are particularly concerned by reports of impunity by the police in ignoring a high court order issued on Sunday night for her release as well as the bringing of frivolous charges of obstructing justice by defending her clients’ rights.

Mtetwa’s arrest and detention comes at an extremely fragile time for the country which voted on whether to accept a new Constitution in anticipation of elections this year on Saturday. While the government of national unity has not constituted a perfect solution, it has allowed for Zimbabwe to stabilise since the economic meltdown and political violence of 2008.

We strongly urge the South Africa mediation team, appointed by SADC to ensure a democratic transition in Zimbabwe, to raise its concerns about Mtetwa’s arrest and the threats to human rights defenders and civil society during this critical time. The use of state institutions to create a climate of fear and hostility will only undermine regional efforts to restore democracy and the rule of law. 

We further support the efforts made by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to secure the release of Mtetwa and to ensure the protection of other human rights defenders.

The following organisations have endorsed this statement:

CENTRE FOR APPLIED LEGAL STUDIES

FREEDOM UNDER LAW

LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

LEGAL RESOURCES CENTRE

SOUTHERN AFRICAN LITIGATION CENTRE

ZIMBABWE EXILES FORUM

ZIMRIGHTS

NDIFUNA UKWAZI

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

OBSERVATORY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS - a joint programme of the International Federation Of Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Tortue (OMCT)