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Zimbabwe: UPDATE – Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the charges against three human rights defendersposted on: 2012/02/10

On 7 February 2012, three human rights defenders Ms Molly Chimhanda and Messrs Gilbert Mabusa and Fadzai December were successful in their application to have their case referred to the Supreme Court on the basis of the unconstitutionality of the criminal provisions used against them.

Zimbabwe – UPDATE: Two of three charges against human rights defenders droppedposted on: 2012/01/31

On 24 January 2012 human rights defenders and Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) members Ms Molly Chimhanda and Messrs Gilbert Mabusa and Fadzai December saw two charges against them dismissed by the court. All three are members of the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), an organisation which works to promote freedom of expression and responsible journalism in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: Eight members of human rights organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise releasedposted on: 2011/08/23

Front Line welcomes the release of eight members of human rights organisation, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) on 15 August 2011. The release follows a court ruling by Magistrate Themba Chimiso, that the State must withdraw charges against the women, based on a legal precedent set by the Supreme Court in 2008. Lawyers for the accused, Lizwe Jamela and Nosimilo Chanayiwa cited a Supreme Court ruling concerning similar charges brought against two members of WOZA in 2008.

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Grace Moyo, Stella Chivunge, Sikhangezile Sibanda, Simangaliphi Msimanga, Cevelia Ncube, Siboniso Siziba, Miriam Moyo, and Memory Matandare, were arrested on 24 May 2011 and charged with two counts – (1): intentionally engaging in disorderly or riotous conduct as defined under section 41(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act 9:23; and (2): alternatively encumbering or obstructing the free passage along any street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk or pavement as defined under section 46 (2) (f) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

Zimbabwe: 83 Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise removed from remandposted on: 2011/01/06

83 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), who had been arrested while protesting peacefully on 20 September 2010, have been removed from remand out of custody in a routine hearing in Harare Magistrate's Court.

Further Information

Magistrate Macdonald Ndirowej granted an application for refusal of further remand which had been lodged by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights in a Court hearing on 1 December 2010.

The application had initially been refused on condition that the prosecution had their case properly prepared on 29 December.

Zimbabwe: UPDATE- Magistrate dismisses human rights defender Ellen Chademana's application for dischargeposted on: 2010/10/22

On 20 October 2010 an application for discharge filed by lawyers representing Ellen Chademana was dismissed. Ellen Chademana is an administrative assistant for Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). The accused is on trial, charged with the possession of prohibited materials.

Zimbabwe: UPDATE- Charges dropped against human rights defender Mr Farai Maguwuposted on: 2010/10/22

On 21 October 2010 charges were dropped against human rights defender Mr Farai Maguwu. Harare Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti informed the court that Farai Maguwu would not be placed on remand, but was free to go. Leading prosecutor Tapiwa Kasema told the court that the state of Zimbabwe was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.

Zimbabwe: Update – Court eases bail conditions of human rights defender, Farai Maguwuposted on: 2010/08/19

A Zimbabwe Magistrates' Court has eased the bail conditions of human rights defender Mr Farai Maguwu.

Zimbabwe: Update: Human rights defenders Lovemore Ndlovu acquittedposted on: 2010/07/15

Human rights defenders Mr Lovemore Ndlovu, staff member of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) was acquitted on 14 July 2010. He was on trial on charges of convening a public meeting without notifying the police, under Section 25 of the Public Order and Security Act. The court ruled that Lovemore Ndlovu had only facilitated and not convened the meeting.

Zimbabwe: Update - Human rights defender Mr Farai Maguwu denied bail for a third timeposted on: 2010/07/05

Further to the Urgent Appeal issued on 21 June 2010 and the subsequent update on 22 June 2010, Front Line has received the following information concerning the case of human rights defender Mr Farai Maguwu: Farai Maguwu was denied bail for a third time on 2 July 2010 by Magistrate Donal Ndirowei.

Zimbabwe - Update: Farai Maguwu's bail application denied by High Courtposted on: 2010/06/22

On 21 June 2010, Farai Maguwu's bail application was denied by High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu, who stated in his nine-page judgement that Magistrate Don Ndirowei had not misdirected himself in denying Farai Maguwu bail in a hearing on 10 June 2010.

Zimbabwe - Human rights defenders Ms Ellen Chademana and Mr Ignatius Muhamba released without bail conditions.posted on: 2010/05/27

Subsequent to the Urgent Appeal sent on 25 May 2010, Front Line has received the following new information with regard to the detention of human rights defenders Ms Ellen Chademana and Mr Ignatius Muhamba, members of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ).

Zimbabwe: UPDATE - Mr. Okay Machisa released from police custody. posted on: 2010/03/24

Mr Okay Machisa, National Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), has been released by police. He was arrested by police on 23 March and held at the Central Police Station in Harare.

For more information, see the original Front Line Appeal

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Zimbabwe – UPDATE – Supreme court orders to drop charges against Jestina Mukokoposted on: 2009/09/28

Front Line welcomes the Supreme court of Zimbabwe's decision to grant a permanent stay of prosecution against Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) director, Ms Jestina Mukoko. Trumped up charges of recruiting and training people for insurgency were brought against Jestina Mukoko following her abduction by state security agents in December 2008.

Zimbabwe:Human rights defenders reject attempts to introduce tighter controls on NGOsposted on: 2009/06/02

Human rights NGOs in Zimbabwe are mounting an orchestrated campaign to block new legislation aimed at controlling the activities of NGOs.

Zimbabwe: UPDATE - ZHLR and WOZA members acquittedposted on: 2009/05/29

Human rights lawyers Ms Roselyn Hanzi and Mr Tawanda Zhuwarara, members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and eight members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were acquitted on 28 May 2009.