Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-The new Donald Trump led US Government has voiced its concern at the alleged deterioration of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the arrest of cleric and social media activist Evan Mawarire on his return to the country.
In a statement released by the local embassy the US has accused the Robert Mugabe government of carrying out unwarranted arrests and not paying due respect to the human rights of its citizens.
“The United States is extremely concerned by the continuing deterioration of human rights situation in Zimbabwe, as evidenced by the unwarranted arrest and continued detention of Pastor Evan Mawarire and the incarceration of Pastor Patrick Mugadza”.
“The US Government unequivocally believes in the basic right to freedom of speech and calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the human rights of all Zimbabwean citizens which are enshrined in the constitution”.
“We believe that that basic right of Zimbabweans to freedom of speech-be it in public, through print media, or social media-should be protected within and outside Zimbabwe’s borders”.
“We fear these recent actions will further limit the right of Zimbabweans to exercise their Constitutionally-protected freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, which are similarly protected under Zimbabwe’s international human rights obligations, and are core values of any functioning democracy”, it said.
“The US Government calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the rule of law and legal due process provided by the Constitution”, it added.
This latest move by the Donald Trump administration raises the palpable prospect that the new American President is set on carrying out his campaign threats to deal with Africa dictators.
Meanwhile the arrest of Mawarire on ahis arrival at the Harare Airport, has sparked an uproar from various quarters who have accused the government of being paranoid and heavy handedness in dealing with a weakling activist who no longer mattered.
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