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A Zimbabwean court has sentenced labor activist Obert Masalare to a $200 fine or two months in prison for a social media post calling for the release of another trade unionist.
Masaraure found guilty of perverting the course of justice make an announcement Calling for the release of trade unionist Robson Chere on X (formerly Twitter). This sentence includes Four months imprisonment Five years’ suspended sentence.
Masaraure is Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union The Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is an organisation that defends the labour rights of rural teachers and the right to education in rural communities in Zimbabwe. Authorities have repeatedly targeted him for his activism. Initial arrest In January 2019, he was arrested for “subverting the constitutionally elected government and inciting public violence.” In June of the same year, he was arrested again and charged with Breach of bail conditions He was sentenced to prison after being arrested in January. The court released him after finding that he had not violated bail conditions.
In January 2021, the authorities Arrested Masarule and 15 ARTUZ members, and charged them with “participating in an assembly aimed at promoting public violence, bigotry and the destruction of peace” after they participated in a teachers’ protest. In June 2022, he returned after receiving the prestigious Human Honor Award Rights Award In Dublin, Masarule went to Harare Central Police Station for a routine bail hearing related to his 2021 arrest. Arrested and charged with murder of youth activist Roy Issa. He was charged in connection with Issa’s death despite a 2016 court investigation ruling out any kind of foul play. The case against Masarule appeared to have been settled by 2022, with him accepting a fine and various bail agreements.
Masarule’s suspended sentence was contingent on his good behavior. However, after years of judicial harassment, it became clear that the police did not need any reason to arrest Masarule and threaten him with imprisonment to stop his activities.
Zimbabwean authorities should stop Weaponization The legal and judicial systems are turning against Masarule and others who defend and fight for human rights. Instead, they should ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are fully respected.
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