Jestina Mukoko facts for kids
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Jestina Mukoko is a brave woman from Zimbabwe who works to protect human rights. She leads an organization called the Zimbabwe Peace Project. Before becoming a human rights activist, she was a journalist and a newsreader on TV.
In March 2010, Jestina Mukoko was one of ten human rights defenders honored. They received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department. This award celebrates women who show great courage and leadership. She also spent time as a fellow at the Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights at Colby College in 2010.
A Difficult Time
Her Abduction
On December 3, 2008, Jestina Mukoko was taken from her home at night. This happened in the northern part of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital city. Reports suggested she was taken by people thought to be government agents. They believed she was involved in plans for protests against the government.
She later shared that she was questioned about her organization, the Peace Project. She was accused of helping young people get military training. This training was supposedly for the opposition group, the Movement for Democratic Change. She faced harsh treatment during this time.
Calls for Her Release
Many important people around the world asked for her freedom. Leaders like Gordon Brown and Condoleezza Rice spoke out. A group called the "Group of Elders," including Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, and Graça Machel, also asked for her release. They made their appeal from South Africa because they were not allowed into Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe High Court ordered the police to find Jestina Mukoko. However, the police said they did not know where she was. They did not follow the court's order.
Her Freedom
Jestina Mukoko was moved between different places while being held. She was forced to go with police when they searched her home and office. On December 24, the state newspaper reported that she had appeared in court. She was accused of trying to recruit people to overthrow the government. She had not been able to talk to her lawyers.
In March 2009, three months after she was taken, Jestina Mukoko was released. She had to report to her local police station every week. She also had to give up her passport.
On September 21, 2009, the Zimbabwe Supreme Court made an important decision. They ordered that the legal case against Jestina Mukoko be stopped permanently. Amnesty International, a human rights group, was happy about this. They believed the charges were made up by the government at the time. This was seen as a way to silence people who disagreed with them.
German politician Marina Schuster has also helped raise awareness for Jestina Mukoko's work. She did this through a special program for human rights activists.
