As Zimbabwe approaches the tragic ten-year mark since the enforced disappearance of journalist and pro-democracy advocate Itai Peace Dzamara, Amnesty International urges for urgent actions by authorities. Dzamara was forcibly taken from a barbershop on 9 March 2015 by five assailants who accused him falsely of cattle theft. Despite relentless efforts by his family and human rights lawyers, his location remains unknown, shrouded in a painful silence.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, expressed profound sorrow for Dzamara’s family, stating, “Itai Dzamara’s family and loved ones have endured ten years without answers.” The organisation stresses that Zimbabwean officials must take decisive actions to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Just days before his abduction, Dzamara had passionately called for mass protests against the nation’s dire economic landscape at an opposition rally.
Following Dzamara’s abduction, his wife swiftly reported him missing at a local police station. The High Court ordered police to act, demanding progress reports every fortnight. Yet, these directives fell on deaf ears as authorities failed to deliver meaningful updates or comply fully with the court’s order. Chagutah lamented, stating, “Authorities have yet to conduct any credible inquiry into Itai Dzamara’s fate or whereabouts.”
Dzamara’s disappearance is emblematic of a wider, troubling trend of state repression; he faced relentless persecution even prior to his kidnapping. After petitioning then-President Robert Mugabe for his resignation, Dzamara endured severe police brutality, culminating in a hospitalisation after a peaceful protest. In a distressing sequence of events, he was abducted alongside fellow activists in December 2014, brutally assaulted before being released without charge by police.
Moreover, since 2015, Zimbabwe has witnessed an escalation in state-sponsored violence against dissidents, with numerous activists facing intimidation or torture. At least ten opposition members have gone missing in recent years, with harrowing reports of torture and even death. Chagutah remarked, “With the perpetrators of Itai Dzamara’s enforced disappearance enjoying complete impunity, it should be no surprise that similar human rights violations continue in Zimbabwe.”
The environment for human rights defenders remains perilous as security forces suppress dissent. This situation highlights the urgent need for the Zimbabwean government to ensure the safety and rights of activists, allowing them to fulfil their essential roles within society. The continued silence surrounding Itai Dzamara’s case and the impunity felt by his abductors present a grim picture of human rights in Zimbabwe, demanding immediate action and accountability.
Zimbabwe marks the ten-year anniversary of journalist Itai Dzamara’s enforced disappearance. Amnesty International calls for an urgent and thorough investigation, highlighting the continued silence from authorities. Dzamara’s abduction, stemming from years of repression, reflects a broader pattern of violence against dissenters in Zimbabwe, raising concerns about human rights violations and impunity.
The continuing silence surrounding Itai Dzamara’s disappearance emphasises the urgent need for accountability and thorough investigation by Zimbabwean authorities. His case serves as a stark reminder of the broader context of repression faced by activists in the country. Strengthening protections for human rights defenders is crucial in combating such abuses and ensuring justice.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
