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Alert

Freelance journalist arrested once again

(MISA/IFEX) - Freelance photojournalist Andrison Manyere was, on 18 January 2010, arrested in Harare while covering a march by members of the Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise pressure groups.

Dzimbabwe Chimbga, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, confirmed the arrest saying Manyere is being held at the Harare Central Police station. No charges were laid against him at the time of his arrest.

Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise marched to the Ministry of Education in Harare at noon on 18 January to hand over their report on the education system in Zimbabwe, entitled "Looking Back to Look Forward". The report covers recommendations and a list of demands that parents want addressed by the Minister of Education, Senator David Coltart.

Police reportedly interrupted the peaceful demonstration, arresting Manyere and two other unidentified individuals. MISA-Zimbabwe notes with great concern that this disturbing development took place barely three days after freelance journalist Stanley Kwenda fled the country after a senior police officer allegedly issued a death threat against him in a telephone call.

BACKGROUND:

Manyere is currently free on bail in a separate matter in which he is facing charges, together with six other alleged Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists, under Section 23 (1), (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalises acts of insurgence, banditry, sabotage or terrorism or, alternatively, Section 143 of the same Act, which relates to aggravating circumstances in relation to malicious damage to property.