Zimbabwe: Death threats against human rights defender Musaiona Shortgame

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender Musaiona Shortgame has received death threats. Musaiona Shortgame is a Gutu Resident Magistrate who has recently presided over several cases of political violence. His car was also reportedly burnt outside his home on 21 April 2008.

Musaiona Shortgame has recently been the subject of death threats. On 21 April 2008, at approximately 2.00am, Musaiona Shortgame's car was set on fire outside his home in Mupandawana Growth Point by three unidentified people who had trespassed onto his property. The three people ran away when Musaiona Shortgame came out.

I believe that Musaiona Shortgame has been targeted as a result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his work to combat impunity in Zimbabwe. I am concerned that the death threats against Musaiona Shortgame and the burning of his car form part of an ongoing trend of harassment against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe. I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Musaiona Shortgame.

I urge the authorities in Zimbabwe to:

1.Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the death threats Musaiona Shortgame has received and the burning of his car, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2.Guarantee the security and physical and psychological integrity of Musaiona Shortgame;

3.Ensure that all human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, including lawyers, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. I would particularly draw your attention to Article 11: “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to the lawful exercise of his or her occupation or profession (...),” and to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threat, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

Yours sincerely,