via Dzamara: Rights body says under pressure – New Zimbabwe 01/07/2015
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission says it is receiving thousands of petitions and enquiries from locals and the international community, demanding an explanation on the disappearance of rights activist Itai Dzamara.
Elasto Mugwadi, the chairperson of the commission, told parliamentary thematic committee on human rights in Harare Wednesday that his organisation is under pressure from international human rights bodies over the Dzamara issue.
“We are still receiving, I would say I have received petitions coming from the international community which now run into thousands and I have stopped opening my email, because I need almost two months if not more to go through them,” said Mugwadi.
“I am no longer responding but the international community feels government, by setting up a human rights commission, was genuinely saying they would want to ensure that people’s rights are protected”.
Mugwadi said government should show commitment to the search for Dzamara and should at least give statements on progress they have made so far.
“The disappearance of a person with no explanation being given in a highly securitized country like ours would not please the international community.
“We will continue being accused of violating human rights even when we are doing our best”.
The Thematic committee which was being chaired by retired general Mike Nyambuya did not comment on the Dzamara issue.
Dzamara, a political journalist, was abducted by state agents in his Glenview home area on 9 March.
Ahead of the abduction, Dzamara was staging peaceful demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe’s government which he said had failed to create jobs.
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