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U.S. Urges Zimbabwe to Find 'Abducted' Itai Dzamara, His Assailants


FILE: Sheffra Dzamara has appealed to Itai Dzamara's captors to release him. (Photo: Occupy Africa Unity Square)
FILE: Sheffra Dzamara has appealed to Itai Dzamara's captors to release him. (Photo: Occupy Africa Unity Square)

The United States government says it is still concerned about the disappearance of activist and leader of Occupy Africa Unity Square, Itai Dzamara, and the “apparent lack of progress by authorities in their investigations.”

In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Harare said it is joining the European Union in urging the Zimbabwean authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to Dzamara’s abduction, bring perpetrators to justice, and return Dzamara, who disappeared five months ago, safely to his family and friends.

“We join the European Union in their calls to the Zimbabwean authorities to mobilize their resources to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dzamara’s abduction, to accord Mr. Dzamara the full protection of his fundamental human rights and freedoms, and to ensure that those responsible for his abduction are brought to justice.

“The United States places the protection of human rights at the center of our foreign policy. The United States stands together with Mr. Dzamara and the people of Zimbabwe in supporting their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

Occupy Africa Unity Square member, Charles Nyoni, said his organization is pleased with the U.S Embassy’s support, and is currently engaging other embassies in Zimbabwe to put pressure on the government to investigate Dzamara’s whereabouts.

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