Geneva — Taken from a VOA article {duplicated as "News" by other media} which ignores all ZEC vote rigging, manipulation and mis-declarations. ZHRO and many others are Organising Protests. See Image.
The United Nations called Friday for an independent investigation after an opposition activist in Zimbabwe was found dead following his abduction ahead of controversial by-elections {our italics - how about illegal due to fake recalls?}. The body of Tapfumanei Masaya, a pastor and an activist with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was discovered Monday, 30 kilometers (18 miles) outside Harare, the UN rights office said. He and fellow activist Jeffrey Kalosi had been snatched by armed men in broad daylight two days earlier while campaigning in the Zimbabwean capital for a CCC candidate.
"Both were reportedly tortured," UN rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell said, adding that Kalosi had been released in the same area where Masaya's body turned up. See ZHRO Statement on the Tapfumanei Masaya Abduction, TORTURE and Murder
The killing follows a string of reported abductions, arrests and other violent acts that the CCC says {it is a campaign of intimidation that the evidence is showing} are part of a campaign of intimidation against its supporters following disputed general elections last August. Throssell noted that Zimbabwean authorities had said Masaya's killing was being investigated. {as unlikely as that is going to happen}
"We urge them to ensure there are thorough, prompt and independent investigations not only into his death but also into all allegations of people being tortured and kidnapped," she said.
"Perpetrators should be held accountable in fair trials that follow due process."
Throssell warned that crimes like Masaya's killing "violate not only the right to life, but also have a stifling effect on the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and equal participation."
In August, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, 45, {Due to Vote rigging and ZEC manipulation} lost his bid for the presidency to incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, 81, in elections that also gave the ruling ZANU-PF party a majority in parliament. {again highly questionable out come}
International observers said the vote fell short of democratic standards. See our previous articles HERE, and HERE (election 'Fraud' as reported by all Observers}
Dozens of CCC lawmakers have lost their seats recently after what they say is an impostor posing as a party official recalled them {HE is an IMPOSTER}, and parliament went along with it. The move {This illegal and Unconstitutional move} has triggered by-elections to be held on December 9 that could hand ZANU-PF, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, a two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution.
Analysts believe the party might {most definitely WILL} use a super majority to remove a two-term presidential limit and enable Mnangagwa, who came to power on the back of a coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, to rule beyond 2028.
Full UN Statement - DATED 17th November 2023: LINK HERE
"We deplore the killing in Zimbabwe of political activist Tapfumeyi Masaya whose body was found earlier this week. This concerning development comes amid reports in recent months of several opposition activists being kidnapped and tortured in Zimbabwe, where general elections were held in August and where parliamentary by-elections are due to take place on 9 December 2023."
"Masaya, a pastor and an activist at the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), was kidnapped on 11 November 2023, along with fellow activist Jeffrey Kalosi, while they were campaigning for a CCC candidate. Both were reportedly tortured. Masaya’s body was found on 13 November about 30 km outside Harare. Kalosi was released in the same area."
"We note that the authorities have said Masaya’s killing is being investigated. We urge them to ensure there are thorough, prompt and independent investigations not only into his death but also into all allegations of people being tortured and kidnapped, including to establish whether they were forcibly disappeared. Perpetrators should be held accountable in fair trials that follow due process."
"The safety and security of all individuals, including victims and members of the political opposition, must be ensured. Such crimes violate not only the right to life, but also have a stifling effect on the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and equal participation. Authorities must guarantee these rights at all times."