UN concerned over death threats against journalists

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed its concern over reports of death threats against journalists in Zimbabwe. Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on extra judicial, summary or arbitrary executions and Abid Hussain, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, appealed to the Zimbabwean government “to take all necessary measures to ensure that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is fully protected”, a UN statement said.

In a letter to the government on 22 August, the experts referred to allegations that journalists appeared on a “hit-list” compiled by the security services. “In their communication the two experts urge the government to provide information on these serious allegations, in particular on the steps taken, in compliance with the provisions contained in the international legal instruments to which Zimbabwe is party, to ensure effective protection of the right to life and the physical integrity of the five journalists,” the statement said.