The AFL-CIO, representing 10.5 million working women and men in the United States, unequivocally protests and condemns the arrest and continued detention of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Lovemore Motombo and Secretary General Wellington Chibebe.

Heavily armed police invaded the homes of Motombo and Chibebe on May 6, and both trade union leaders were subsequently interrogated, arrested, and detained at the Harare Central Police Station. They continue to be held by the police, as Magistrate Olivia Mariga refused them bail, based on the finding that they were not suitable for release and must be held in custody in the interest of justice.

Motombo and Chibebe were charged, arrested, detained for allegedly “inciting people to rise against the government and reporting falsehoods about people being killed” at a May Day rally. The trade unionists were exercising their freedom of speech at the rally.

The AFL-CIO demands that the Government of Zimbabwe immediately release Lovemore Motombo and Wellington Chibebe, and drop all charges.  We remind the Government of Zimbabwe that it ratified ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association in 2003, and its arrest and detention of Motombo and Chibebe completely contravenes its international obligations.

Contact Alison Omens 202-637-5018