WOZA protests to continue | Human Rights

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WOZA protests to continue

Written by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 14:41

BULAWAYO-Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), one of the country’s most active civic groups, has said it will continue with regular street protests to press for speedy democratic reforms despite the continued harassment of the organisation’s members through the courts.

In a statement, WOZA said many of its members, including leaders Jenni Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu are going through court cases for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
Last week, the Bulawayo Magistrates Court further postponed a court hearing for Mahlangu and Williams to 7 December. Mahlangu and Williams were arrested in October last year for
leading demonstrations calling on the government to provide food to starving citizens. The pair, together with hundreds of their members, has been repeatedly arrested for street protests
targeting draconian government policies.
Woza said the continued postponement of Mahlangu and Williams’ case showed that the State did not have evidence against the activists, but was abusing the court system to intimidate and restrict rights campaigners.
“This ongoing demonstration of State harassment and intimidation against the human rights defenders is further proof of how little has changed for pro-democracy activists in Zimbabwe,” said the organisation, whose brave membership has continued with demonstrations despite constant violent reaction from the police.
Mahlangu, in her personal capacity and WOZA will next month receive this year’s Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights Award for her “courageous and selfless struggle to defend human dignity”.

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