Joint local statement on the abduction of social activists

The European Union Delegation, the Heads of Mission of EU Member States present in Harare and the Head of Mission of Switzerland issue the following statement in Zimbabwe:  

The Heads of Mission of the EU and Switzerland have received reports indicating that some social activists have been abducted and brutalised by unknown persons in the run-up to today's demonstrations.

The Heads of Mission note with growing concern a significant and worrying increase in the number of incidents over recent months, in violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

Those incidents include acts of intimidation, violence, abduction and torture,  violations of the rights of arrested and detained persons, and a lack of respect of the freedom of assembly and association and the freedom to demonstrate and petition.

The Heads of Mission repeat their appeals to the competent authorities to conduct thorough investigations of these incidents, and to ensure that those responsible for commissioning and carrying out these crimes are prosecuted. The Government of Zimbabwe is responsible for the protection of its citizens from abduction and torture, regardless of their political opinions.

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are essential elements of the bilateral relations between the European Union and Zimbabwe. Sustainable peace, development and prosperity cannot exist without respect for human rights and freedoms. Those principles underpin all internal and external policies of the European Union.

#EU4HumanRights

In Harare, on 18 November 2016