CRES\006\4\2015: RESOLUTION ON ZIMBABWE

CRES\006\4\2015: RESOLUTION ON ZIMBABWE
We, the participants of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 56th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 30th African Human Rights Book fair held in Banjul, The Gambia from 16th to 19th April 2015;
Recalling the commitments made by the Government of Zimbabwe to fulfill its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as a member, and current Chair of the African Union;
Deeply concerned about the enforced disappearance, on 9March 2015, of ItaiDzamara, a human rights and pro-democracy defender in Zimbabwe who remains missing to date;
Deeply concerned that a High Court order issued, directing the authorities to establish his whereabouts and update his family and lawyers on the progress is yet to be complied with;
Call upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
1. To urge the government of Zimbabwe to take all necessary and urgent measures to ascertain the whereabouts of Itai Dzamara;
2. To fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of Itai Dzamara and ensure that those responsible for the enforced disappearance are brought to account;
3. To ensure that Itai Dzamara’s family and lawyers are continuously updated on the nature of investigations and any progress.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia – 19 April 2015