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By Evans Muranganwa.

Human rights organisation have strongly condemned the arrest of #ThisFlag cleric Evan Mawarire.

In separate press statements, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association(ZimRights) and Heal Zimbabwe said the arrest was a gross violation of human rights.

Heal Zimbabwe said it notes that the infringement of citizens’ rights such as unlawful arrests and detentions are a violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights that are provided for in the constitution.

It went on to say in November 2016, during the United Nations Human Rights Council periodic review in Switzerland, Zimbabwe assured the council that its human rights record had significantly improved which seems contrary to this incident.

Also joining in the condemnation is ZimRights who stated that ‘the arrest is a continuation of the undue victimisation and harassment of the cleric and human rights activist which is a gross violation of his human rights by the government of Zimbabwe.”

The human rights organization said Mawarire is a bona fide citizen of Zimbabwe who has a constitutional right to return safely to his country of birth without infringement of his rights by state security institutions.

“As far as ZimRights is concerned, the harassment of Mawarire is merely meant to intimidate alone, but all those speaking out their thoughts about the economic and political governance situation of the country in line with their right to freedom of expression,” voiced the human rights watchdog.
According to Zimrights, Mawarire’s peaceful actions as leader of #Thisflag movement have always been within the confines of the law, and there should be an end to further harassment of the cleric.

Meanwhile, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in a tweet castigated Mawarire arrest describing it as callous.

Pastor Mawarire was arrested as soon as he touched Harare International Airport.

He is to appear in court today facing charges of subverting a constitutionally elected government.

Pastor Mawarire is famed for having led massive citizens resistance on government’s ineptitude in addressing citizens concerns and this led to him being arrested last year and hundreds of people thronged the courts in a trial that will be etched in the annals of history as the most attended court trial.

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