Peta Thornycroft – Harare
President Robert Mugabe has issued a decree so draconian that it amounts to a “state of emergency” by stealth, human rights lawyers and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change said yesterday.
New laws will extend periods of detention for those accused of both economic and political “crimes” from 48 hours to a month without bail. Hundreds of opposition political activists have been tortured over the last four years during the 48-hour detention period. Patrick Chinamasa, the justice minister, claimed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act was a tool to help police investigate those suspected of sabotaging the economy. “It is outrageous,” said David Coltart, MDC secretary for justice, who is also a human rights lawyer. “These regulations are nothing less than a Trojan horse which usher in provisions that give the regime State of Emergency powers without declaring one.” He said Mr Mugabe understood that the region and South Africa would not tolerate a declaration of a state of emergency in Zimbabwe. “Now under the guise of combating corruption, the regime has introduced 30-day detention which will undoubtedly be used to detain those who promote peaceful civil disobedience.”