Human rights defender Mr Okay Machisa has been arrested in the afternoon of today, 23 March 2010, in Harare. 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. Front Line previously issued an appeal on the threats received by Okay Machisa and other senior members of ZimRights in February 2010 and on the situation of human rights defenders in the country in March.

On 23 March 2010, police officers arrested Okay Machisa at the Gallery Delta, in Harare. Okay Machisa was at the gallery in preparation for the launch of 'Reflections', a photographic exhibition organised by ZimRights and based on the national healing programme. The exhibition is aimed at sensitising the public on the fact that violence and intimidation never yield any progress and is scheduled to open tomorrow, 24 March. The police reportedly confiscated two mobile phones belonging to Okay Machisa and transferred him to the Central Police Station.

ZimRights notified the authorities of the opening of the exhibition on the week of 15 March. In response, on 17 and 18 March the police called in Okay Machisa and Ms Olivia Gumbo, ZimRights National Programme Manager, and questioned them about the exhibition. It is reported that ZimRights had previously obtained a High Court Order allowing the organisation of the exhibition.

Okay Machisa as well as several other senior officials of ZimRights received repeated anonymous threatening calls and messages in February this year.

The first three months of 2010 have been marked by a significant increase in the level of threats, intimidation and harassment against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe. Front Line reported in March on the intimidation of several human rights organisations in the country, including ZimRights, the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CZC), Civic Education Trust (Civnet), Counselling Services Unit (CSU), as well as Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA).

Front Line is deeply concerned by the arrest of Okay Machisa, which comes only a few weeks after the recent threats he received. Front Line is deeply concerned at the increased levels of threats, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders in the recent months, and fears this may escalate further in connection with the constitutional reform process.