Stop Violence Against Women


Human Rights Defender


The Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)

Zimbabwe

The Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), and the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) are all civil society groups focused on improving the human rights for the citizens of Zimbabwe. These groups have participated in peaceful protests and demonstrations against human rights violations.

Over the past few weeks Amnesty International has been alarmed at the emerging patterns of human rights violations against human rights defenders during peaceful protests by the police departments of Zimbabwe. The above mentioned groups have faced human rights violations for exercising their right to peacefully protest. These violations include torture, prolonged detention, and the denial of access to lawyers, adequate food, and medical attention for exercising their right to peacefully protest.

Several peaceful demonstrations took place across the country on September 11th, 13th, and 20th. On September 11th, over 100 WOZA members were arrested ahead of a planned peaceful sit-in in the capital, Harare, to protest deteriorating social services. Among the members of this group who were detained were five babies and their mothers, along with a pregnant woman who later became ill, all of whom were kept in detention in appalling conditions. On the 13th, members of ZCTU, including women leaders of the organization, were arrested while engaging in a peaceful pretest about declining social and economic conditions in Zimbabwe. With each arrest, Amnesty International has received reports of alarming human rights violations by the security officials in Zimbabwe.

As stated by the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, authorities must protect the right of human rights defenders to carry out their legitimate activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisal. Amnesty International considers the current threats and actions towards the human rights organizations and activists of Zimbabwe as violation of international human rights laws.


Please send letters to:

His Excellency Robert G. Mugabe
Office of the President
Munhumutapa Building
Samora Machel Ave/3rd Street
Box 7700
Causeway Harare, ZIMBABWE


Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri
Zimbabwe Republic Police
Police Headquarters
P.O. Box 8807
Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe

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