By 
By Memory Chikavhanga
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has raised concern over the case of a CCC member Job Sikhala who has been held in prison since 14 June 2022 without trial.
In a press release, IPU Committee stated that it is failing to understand how Job Sikhala’s detention in a maximum-security prison could be justified and is alarmed by allegations that he is held in inhumane conditions with reports that he is being shackled with leg irons all times and forced to sleep on floor.
Sikhala is in prison over convictions of inciting public violence and obstruction of justice. His health is said to be deteriorating but, he is being deprived of the right to medical care. However, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has decided to investigate the matter.
From the observation made, IPU said, there is a contradiction in the principles of laws in Zimbabwe where Job Sikhala was repeatedly denied bail. In earlier cases, he was subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention and torture. Therefore, IPU calls for higher courts to carefully assess the evidence on charges, give a fair verdict, release Job Sikhala and urgently provide him with the medical care he requires.
“The state of democracy in Zimbabwe is deteriorating rapidly and there is a desperate need to investigate the near-daily human rights abuses under the increasingly oppressive regime of President Mnangagwa.
As more information on this case is exposed, we hope that the international community will call on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect local and international law and uphold the fundamental human rights of Zimbabwean citizens,” IPU said.
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