Zimbabwe: Raid on the offices of the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) and harassment of its staff members

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports of a raid on the offices of the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) and of the home of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Director of the ZESN, on 25 April 2008. The ZESN is a group of thirty-eight non-governmental organisations which have come together to promote democratic processes in Zimbabwe.

On 25 April 2008, at approximately 11.00am, five officers of the Zimbabwe Republic Police raided the offices of the ZESN in Belgravia, Harare. The same day, police officers raided the home of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava. The police had search warrants which stated that they were looking for subversive material. Many documents were confiscated in the raids.

ZESN Programme Manager Tsungai Kokerai was reportedly detained for questioning following the raid on the ZESN offices and was released the same day. Yesterday, 28 April 2008, ZESN Chairperson Noel Kututwa was reportedly accompanied by a lawyer to the Harare Central Police Station. He had been asked to submit the organisation's financial accounts as well as a written description of ZESN activities and an explanation on its role in the elections of 29 March 2008, including details of all election observers deployed by the ZESN. The police have reportedly summoned Noel Kututwa to the police station again today, 29 April 2008, together with Director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava. Noel Kututwa and Rindai Chipfunde-Vava may face arrest as a result of their human rights activities.

I believe that the ZESN has been targeted because of its legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular its work to promote democracy in Zimbabwe. I am concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Noel Kututwa, and other members of the ZESN.

I urge the authorities in Zimbabwe to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the raids on the offices of the ZESN and the home of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, as well as the arbitrary detention of Tsungai Kokerai, with a view to publishing the results and, where necessary, bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Immediately cease all harassment and intimidation of all members of the ZESN and guarantee their security and physical and psychological integrity;

3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in Zimbabwe are free to carry out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration” and to Article 18 (2): “ Individuals, groups, and non-governmental organisations have an important role to play and a responsibility in safegurading democracy, promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and contributing to the promotion and advancement of democratic societies, institutions and processes.”

Yours sincerely,