Latest from Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

Representatives from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, are present at the 17^th Session of the African Caribbean Pacific – European Union Joint Parlimentary Assembly (JPA) currently underway in Prague, Czech Republic. Over 100 Parliamentarians from across Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific regions and the EU are meeting for this current Session of the JPA which takes place between between 4 – 9.04.09.

Our representatives, including the Executive Director of our member organisation; Amnesty International Zimbabwe; Mr Cousin Zilala and Mr Kennedy Mugochi of our Research Unit; are present at these proceedings. They will be lobbying the Parliamentarians; on behalf of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum; to remain engaged on the issue of Zimbabwe. This follows the resolution on Zimbabwe passed at the previous 16^th Session of the JPA in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby. Please find the Forum's statement of today, 3.4.09, via the Forum's web site at the following link:http://www.hrforumzim.com/press/20090403ForumResolutionto17thJPA.pdf

Further information about the current session of the ACP-EU JPA can be found at:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/10_01/default_en.htm

The resoloution passed on Zimbabwe at the previous 16^th Session can be found at:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/60_16/pdf/res_zimbabwe_en.pdf

Today, 3.4.09, we have the following 2 statements / reports from our member organisations:

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) issued an Alert Update on 2.04.09. It reports on the abduction and subsequent releaseof a Gweru based freelance journalist who was allegedly interrogated and threatened with death over his alleged involvement with reports about the ongoing farm invasions by an overseas radio station. Further details can be found at:

http://www.misa.org/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1238738226

Today, 3.4.09, the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) issued Weekly Media Upate 2009-12 . This issue highlights the state media's reluctance to embrace the spirit of tolerance embodied in the new colaition government . MMPZ cites the example of the reckless reporting on a criminal trial involving an MDC activist, whilst news of another criminal trial where the evidence reflected badly on senior ZANU PF officials was censored.

Other recent statements / reports on Zimbabwe from civil society and international organisations include the following 5 items:

An Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government took place on 30.3.09 in Swaziland to consider the political economic and security situation in the region, with particular reference to the situations in Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Find the final Communique resulting from this meeting via the following link: http://www.sadc.int/

Today, 3.4.09 The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) issued the attached update on the state of the education sector during the week. It gives an overview from the major tertiary educational establishments in the country. Of particular concern is the continued closure of the University of Zimbabwe.

The Students Solidarity Trust (SST) issued the attached 2 items yesterday 2.4.09

- The first, a 'Court Role' for March 2009, giving an overview of the outcome of cases against students which appeared in court during the month of March.

- The second, an SST Alert, reports of the appearance in court in Bulawayo of five student leaders in following earlier demonstrations.

Further to the item in our mailing of yesterday; 2.3.09; about the inhumane conditions inside Zimbabwean prisons, a short video showing the conditions can be viewed on line via the following web link: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/apr2a_2009.html