Zimbabwe: 150 groups to launch unprecedented appeal for action by UN and AU

As the human rights situation in Zimbabwe deteriorates by the day, with tens of thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans left sleeping on the streets next to the rubble of their destroyed homes, a coalition of more than 150 African and international human rights and civic groups will launch an urgent Joint Appeal to the United Nations and African Union to help the people of Zimbabwe.

The Joint Appeal will be launched at five press events throughout Africa and at the UN on 23 June 2005.

The Joint Appeal has been coordinated by Amnesty International, the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Signatories to the Joint Appeal include: the Inter Africa Network for Human Rights (AFRONET), the Housing and Land Rights Network of the Habitat International Coalition, the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute and the International Crisis Group and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).

Details of press events, including contact telephone numbers for interview requests:

Lagos, Nigeria
Organizer: Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)
Speakers: Mr Kolawole Olaniyan, Africa Programme Director, Amnesty International
Ms Mawuse Anyidoho, Coordinator, COHRE Africa Programme
Ms Jessie F Majome, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
When: 10.00 local time, 23 June 2005
Where: Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Centre, Ikeja
Contact: Abimbola Olaleye, tel: +234 (01) 5550277 / 493560

Johannesburg, South Africa
Organizer: Zimbabwe Solidarity and Consultation Forum
Speakers: Ms Nokuthula Moyo, Chairperson, Zimbabwean Lawyers for Human Rights

Mr Hassen Lorgat, Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum
When: 10.00 local time, 23 June 2005
Where: Tudor Room, Orion Devonshire Hotel, 45 Jorissen Street Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Contact: Hassen Lorgat, Zimbabwe Solidarity and Consultation Forum, tel: +27 (082) 4112946 or +27 (011) 4037746
Ana-Paula De Almeida, Amnesty International South Africa, tel: +27(082) 5487441

Cairo, Egypt
Organizer: Housing and Land Rights Network, Habitat International Coalition
Contact: Joseph Schechla, tel: +20 (0)2 347 4360 or +20 (0) 12 347 5203 or +41 (0)79 503 1485

Windhoek, Namibia
Organizer: Legal Assistance Centre
Contact: Norman T'Jombe, tel: +264 (0)61 223 356

Harare, Zimbabwe
Organizer: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Contact: Arnold Tsunga, tel: +263 (0)11 209 468 or +263 4 708 118

United Nations, New York
Organizer: Amnesty International
Contact: Sarah Sullivan, tel: +1 212 867 8878 ext 4
Eliane Drakopoulos, tel: +44 (0)7778 472 109