Zimbabwe: Activists given two year suspended sentence
Six Zimbabwean activists who were arrested in February 2011 were convicted on 19 March on charges of “conspiracy to commit public violence” and sentenced two days later to carry out 420 hours community service and pay a fine of US$500 each. They were also sentenced to a two year suspended sentence, on the condition they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years and that they complete the community service.
Further information on UA: 55/11 Index: AFR 46/005/2012 Zimbabwe Date: 22 March 2012
URGENT ACTION
ACTIVISTS GIVEN TWO YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Six Zimbabwean activists who were arrested in February 2011 were convicted on 19
March on charges of “conspiracy to commit public violence” and sentenced two days
later to carry out 420 hours community service and pay a fine of US$500 each. They were
also sentenced to a two year suspended sentence, on the condition they do not commit a
similar offence in the next five years and that they complete the community service.
The six convicted activists are University of Zimbabwe law lecturer and former opposition parliamentarian
Munyaradzi Gwisai, anti-debt campaigner Hopewell Gumbo, Zimbabwe Labour Centre director Antonetta
Choto, student leader Welcome Zimuto, and social activists Eddson Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarara.
They were arrested with 39 others and all were initially charged with treason after attending and organising a
lecture entitled ‘Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia: What lessons can be learnt by Zimbabwe and Africa’. On 7 March
2011, 39 of the activists were released after a Magistrates court acquitted them. The remaining six, who either
spoke at the lecture or work with the Zimbabwean chapter of the International Socialist Organisation or the
Zimbabwe Labour Centre, were held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day until they were released on bail on
16 March after spending 27 days in prison. The activists told the court that they were tortured by security agents
while in custody, but no-one has been held accountable for the alleged torture.
The state later dropped the treason charges and prosecuted the activists on charges of conspiracy to commit
public violence under Section 188 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The activists will appeal both
the conviction and sentence with the High Court. Although the activists were given a non-custodial sentence, the
conviction sets a very bad precedent in Zimbabwe and will severely restrict the work of human rights defenders,
further curtailing rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Please write immediately in English or your own language:
To the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, and the Attorney General expressing concern that the six were
convicted for exercising their internationally and constitutionally recognised right to freedom of expression
Urging the two to end politically motivated prosecutions of people exercising their right to freedom of expression,
association, and assembly.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 3 MAY 2012 TO:
Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs
Hon Patrick Chinamasa
Government of Zimbabwe
New Government Complex
P. Bag 7751, Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 479 0901
Salutation: Dear Minister
The Attorney General
Johannes Tomana
Government of Zimbabwe
P. Bag 7714, Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 477 7049 (please say ‘fax’ clearly)
Salutation: Dear Attorney General
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the third update of UA 55/11. Further information:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR46/013/2011/en
URGENT ACTION
ACTIVISTS GIVEN TWO YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Name: Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Antonetta Choto, Welcome Zimuto, Eddson Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarara
Gender: Munyaradzi Gwisai (m), Hopewell Gumbo (m), Antonetta Choto (f), Welcome Zimuto (m), Eddson Chakuma (m) and Tatenda
Mombeyarara (m)
Further information on UA: 55/11 Index: AFR 46/005/2012 Issue Date: 22 March 2012