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Zimbabwe: Justice for Women

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu's lawyersfiled a case before the Supreme Court arguing the unconstitutionality of their arrest. The Court heard arguments this June and announced that it would issue a decision later that month, but no written opinion has yet been issued. This lack of action leaves Jenni and Magodonga in legal limbo, though the state is willing to prosecute them as soon as it is able to do so. Williams and Mahlangu appeared before the Magistrate's Court in Bulawayo on October 14, 2009. The trial was once again continued until December 2009, pending the Supreme Court issuance of its written opinion on the constitutionality of their arrests. Meanwhile, Jenni and Magodonga will continue to live under the threat of detention in Zimbabwe's notoriously filthy, cold, overcrowded, and disease-ridden prisons.

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Robert Mugabe - President

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Dear (recipient name),

I write this letter in opposition to the charges of disturbing the peace the government of Zimbabwe has brought against Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. These two leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, a group that advocates non-violently for improved living standards for all Zimbabweans, were arrested on 16 October 2008 for leading a peaceful march in Bulawayo that brought attention to the lack of available food for all. The charges remain pending a year later.

I believe that the existence of these charges constitutes illegal and unconstitutional harassment of these two human rights defenders, and I respectfully ask that the allegations be dropped immediately. The Zimbabwe Constitution guarantees the right of free assembly, as does the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Zimbabwe is a party. Moreover, the inability or unwillingness of the Supreme Court to issue a written opinion on the constitutionality of the arrests amounts to an unacceptable delay of justice. The decision on whether to continue the case against these two women is in the hands of the government, and this is the reason why I appeal to you to cease this ongoing persecution.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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