London - The political maneuvering which has kept 18 members of the Zanzibar opposition behind bars for over two years without trial moved up a gear when a decision on their appeal against treason charges was adjourned this week and they were denied bail. All the prisoners have now been disenfranchised, as they were not able to register to vote and four sitting MPs have missed the deadline for nominations for October's elections.
ARTICLE 19's Executive Director, Andrew Puddephatt, said today: "The 18 political prisoners which the Zanzibar government is holding should be released immediately and their right to participate in the democratic process as voters and candidates must be restored to them."
ARTICLE 19 observed the Tanzanian Court of Appeal sittings, which took place on 16, 17 and 21 August.
The accused were challenging the validity of the charges levied against them - charges upon which they have yet to be tried, due to constant postponements by the authorities. They were also applying for bail in order to allow them to register as voters and defend their parliamentary seats.
So far, no evidence has been presented by the prosecuting authorities to back up the treason charges.
ARTICLE 19 has called for the Commonwealth Secretary-General to lead a high-level with representatives from the Commonwealth, the UN and the Organisation of Africa Unity to Tanzania to seek progress on a number of issues (including the treason trials) which, unless they are addressed urgently, will ensure that elections due in October 2000 are a farce.
For further information contact Rotimi Sankore or Jon Lunn at ARTICLE 19 on +44 20 7278 9292.
Reply to: Ilana Cravitz, Communications Officer ilana@article19.org
Direct line: +44 20 7713 1356
ARTICLE 19,
Global Campaign for Free Expression Lancaster House,
33 Islington High Street,
London N1 9LH, UK
Tel: +44 20 7278 9292,
Fax: +44 20 7713 1356,
e-mail: info@article19.org, www.article19.org
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