Africa Contact send letter of protest to Zim ambassador

To: Her Excellency Ms Mary Sibusisiwe Mubi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Dear Madam Ambassador,

Africa Contact wish to express the profound shock that we felt at learning of the events that unfolded during the National Constitutional Assembly’s (NCA) peaceful meeting in Filabusi on the 29th December 2010. According to our reliable sources, the Riot Police violently interfered with the meeting and detained 250 people, including the Chairperson of NCA, Dr. Lovemore Madhuku, and NCA Youth Chairperson, Alois Dzvairo.

We are deeply concerned about this interference in NCA’s legal activities, which we consider a severe violation of the freedom of association and assembly. Furthermore, we believe that this is a symptom of a political strategy to silence the voices of the Zimbabwean people in the constitution-making process through violent means.

We therefore urge the Zimbabwean Government to immediately take appropriate measures to end the unjustified intervention in the democratic processes of Zimbabwe and to ensure that fundamental freedom rights of the Zimbabwean civil society and citizens are respected.

We look forward to hearing your response to these events, including what measures your government will take to stop political and security sector interference in the legal activities of Zimbabwe’s civil society.

Best Regards,


Morten Nielsen
Africa Contact

Copy to: the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Danish Charge d’affaires to Zimbabwe,  Mr. Ketil Karlsen.