Human rights defender Jestina Mukoko, director of the organisation
Zimbabwe Peace Project, was taken from her home in Zimbabwe by armed
men early yesterday morning. The organisation she heads has received
support from Norway for a number of years, and cooperates closely with
several Norwegian organisations on human rights issues.
"The situation in Zimbabwe gives cause for deep concern. The
unwillingness of Mugabe and the ruling party to cooperate with the
opposition has thrown the country into an ever-worsening crisis. If the
parties fail to find a solution to the protracted crisis of government,
there is a danger that lawlessness will prevail and the people will
lose all their legal safeguards," said Mr Johansen.
Zimbabwe’s economy has collapsed, there are widespread food shortages,
and the health system is disintegrating. The outbreak of cholera in
recent weeks has exacerbated the plight of the country’s long-suffering
population.