Human rights defender Mr Okay Machisa received threats by email on 16 February 2010. Okay Machisa is the National Director of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), one of the main human rights organisations in the country, counting more than 700,000 members.

Further Information

ZimRights has actively worked on the constitution-making process, campaigning on the right of people to be involved in the drafting of the new constitution.

On the morning of 16 February 2010, Okay Machisa received an email warning him to be careful with his work. The message continued saying that a number of people “have been assigned to bring you down”. The email also threatened Okay Machisa's family, warning that something may happen at his home.

This is not the first attempt to intimidate ZimRights' National Director. In November 2009, returning home from a meeting, Okay Machisa saw armed men waiting for him at his home's gate. The men left after Okay Machisa alerted colleagues and before the police arrived. Several other active members of ZimRights are also the target of threats.

Front Line believes that the intimidation and threats against Okay Machisa and ZimRights are a consequence of the organisation's legitimate work on the constitution-making process and the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.