Joana Mamombe

(asked on 28th September 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Zimbabwe about the detention of Joana Mamombe in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.


Answered by
Baroness Sugg Portrait
Baroness Sugg
This question was answered on 13th October 2020

The UK is deeply concerned by the arrest of Joana Mamombe. Following her return to prison on 24 September on the grounds of requiring a medical examination, she was released on 7 October following an order by the High Court. Our Ambassador in Harare publicly welcomed her release but reiterated her concern at the need for her detention on 8 October. When the Minister for Africa wrote to Foreign Minister Moyo on 12 August, following a telephone call with him on 8 June, he raised specific human rights violations, including the treatment of Ms Mamombe, Ms Chimbiri, and Ms Marowa. He made it clear that whilst the UK will support genuine reform in Zimbabwe we are yet to see the necessary meaningful progress, including on human rights. Our Ambassador in Harare reinforced these messages when she met Foreign Minister Moyo in Harare on 14 August.

Our Embassy in Harare will continue to monitor developments on the case of Ms Mamombe, Ms Chimbiri, and Ms Marowa closely. We will continue to call on the Government to uphold the rule of law. This includes respecting the Zimbabwean Constitution which clearly prohibits enforced disappearances, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.

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