Amnesty International (AI) has reiterated its call for the Zimbabwean government to set up an independent judge-led commission of inquiry into the circumstances around the abduction of journalist and pro-democracy activist, Itai Dzamara.
Development Diaries reports that after eight years of Dzamara’s disappearance, the authorities have yet to give any progress report on their investigation efforts to ensure his family receives justice, truth, and reparation.
AI noted that the continued failure of Zimbabwe’s authorities to launch an effective investigation into Dzamara’s disappearance is a travesty of justice and that it sends a chilling message about the security of others who demand accountability from the government.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe, Lucia Masuka, said, ‘The failure of Zimbabwean authorities to account for the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, eight years after he was last seen, speaks volumes about the lack of political will to account for him.
‘The world and Itai Dzamara’s family want truth and justice for his disappearance. His family also want to be freed from the agonising uncertainty they have been subjected to since his disappearance’.
Dzamara was abducted on 09 March, 2015, by five men while he was at a barber shop in Harare’s Glen View suburb.
It is understood that his abductors accused him of stealing cattle before handcuffing him, forcing him into a white truck with concealed number plates, and driving off.
Prior to his abduction, he had called for former President Robert Mugabe to step down and criticised his handling of Zimbabwe’s economy.
Freedom House ranked Zimbabwe as ‘not free’ in its 2023 Freedom in the World study of political rights and civil liberties, with the country earning 28 points out of a possible 100.
Development Diaries calls for a proper investigation into the disappearance of Dzamara, who is a rightful citizen with human rights that needs to be respected.
Photo source: AI