A group of security and human rights organisations has called for the release of Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.

Development Diaries understands that Chin’ono was arrested after he published a report alleging corruption in the Zimbabwean government.

A statement by the group, comprising community-based organisations (CBOs), grassroots movements, women associations, youth movements, social justice centres, marginalised groups, and civil society organisations (CSOs), said, ‘We are saddened and deeply concerned at the rising incidences of human rights violations across the African continent with states using law enforcement institutions to suppress human rights and specifically press freedom.

‘Of particular concern is the recent case of investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, from Zimbabwe, who exposed government corruption through his journalistic work, and was thereafter threatened and arrested together with another political opposition leader (Jacob Ngarivumbe)’.

The group urged the government of Zimbabwe to respect, protect, and promote human rights and desist from any kind of actions that threaten citizens’ liberties as enshrined in chapter four of the Zimbabwean constitution.

‘We call on the government of Zimbabwe to withdraw all charges against Hopewell Chin’ono and to forthwith cease the intimidation and suppression of journalists and other voices of dissent in the country. We call on the state and people of Zimbabwe to respect the constitution and ensure individual rights and freedoms are guaranteed and upheld at all times’, the statement said.

The organisations that endorsed the statement included HAKI Africa, Bunge Mashinani, Heal Africa Trust, Trust Africa, Magharibi Community Justice Centre, Defenders Coalition, and Institute for Land Governance and Human Rights.

Source: Pindula

Photo source: Pindula