JUST IN | The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy has released a statement about Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
They say that after he spoke at the United Nations Office at Geneva on 17 February about media repression in Zimbabwe, government officials reacted angrily. Zimbabwe’s Information Minister, Zhemu Soda, called his comments “malicious” in the state newspaper The Herald and warned that laws could be used against him. Senator Sengezo Tshabangu also said he would push for Mhlanga’s passport to be cancelled.
Because of these threats, Mhlanga has not been able to return home to his family in Harare.
The coalition has now asked the United Nations and Secretary-General António Guterres to urgently investigate the case and protect him. They say no journalist should face arrest or travel restrictions for speaking at the UN.
