On June 16, police arrested and arbitrarily detained 79 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, including interim party leader, Jameson Timba. The group had gathered at Jameson Timba’s house to commemorate the International Day of the African Child. On June 17, police charged the detainees with “gathering with intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct.” One person was given bail and 2 minors released, while 76 activists remain on remand as they await court proceedings. The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all 76 CCC members and drop all the politically motivated charges against them.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: September 30, 2024
take action:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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contact information:
Honorable Ziyambi Ziyambi
Minister of Justice. Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Mgandane Dlodlo Building (New Gvt Complex)
Cnr Samora Machel Avenue & Simon Vengesai
Harare, Zimbabwe
Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Embassy of Zimbabwe in the United States
His Excellency Ambassador Tadeous T. Chifamba
1608 New Hampshire Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20009
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Ambassador
sample letter:
Dear Honorable Ziyambi Ziyambi, / Dear Ambassador Tadeous T. Chifamba,
On June 16, police arrested and arbitrarily detained 79 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, including interim party leader, Jameson Timba, who had gathered at Jameson Timba’s house to commemorate the International Day of the African Child. The arrest and arbitrary detention of the CCC members while exercising their rights to freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly is deeply concerning.
I have noted a worrying trend of suppression of civic space and intimidation and harassment of activists and opposition politicians ahead of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, due to take place on August 17. Your government has warned against “criminal and opportunistic elements within the opposition, certain politicians, and some civil society organizations” and threatened to use law enforcement to crackdown on human rights.
In light of the above, I call on you to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the 76 Citizens Coalition for Change members (including Jameson Timba) and drop all charges against them as they are detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. I further urge you and the authorities to uphold and ensure respect for the human rights of everyone in the country including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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