Statement on Abduction Dr Magombeyi
The Health Workers for All Coalition condemns the abduction of Dr Peter Magombeyi, the acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association. Dr. Magombeyi is missing since Saturday 14th September, after an alleged abduction from his house.
Dr. Magombeyi has been defending the rights of health workers to decent working conditions through legal and peaceful means. The right to a safe and decent working conditions, including a living wage, is enshrined in Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights (ratified by Zimbabwe on May 1991). Further, Zimbabwe has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which guarantees freedom of assembly and right to due process – also recognized in the County’s Constitution.
Therefore, we call for the positive intervention of the police and other state organs to secure the safe release of Dr. Magombeyi. Dr. Magombeyi should be allowed to continue his work with the health workers union. The Health Workers for All Coalition joins the calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Magombeyi and for his return to safety.
We join the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, other medical and allied health associations and unions and human rights defenders in monitoring his case closely.
