Forty-four African human rights and civil society organizations say they are deeply concerned about the severe restriction of civic space and the systematic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Zimbabwe.
In a two-page statement detailing current and recent human rights violations, the organizations drawn from nations like South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and others said the recent escalation in state-sponsored repression, characterized by abductions, arbitrary arrests and unjust denial of bail, torture, and harassment of human rights activists and opposition political members, represents a “profoundly disturbing trend.”
They noted that the repressive environment is particularly concerning ahead of the 44th session of the Southern African Development Community Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for 17 August 2024.
“It constitutes a direct assault on the fundamental rights of Zimbabwean citizens and an egregious violation of democratic principles and international standards.
The organizations said the brutalization of Zimbabwe National Students’ Union members recently in Harare, the arrest of civic society leaders Vusumuzi Moyo, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi and Robson Chere and also 78 Citizens Coalition for Change activists “is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and victimization of civic groups and the opposition.”
They cited many other incidents centering on abuse of power that have happened since the holding of the 2023 general elections, which include the incarceration of opposition leader Job Sikhala for nearly 600 days in jail where he was frequently denied bail, chained in leg irons and kept in solitary confinement and brutalization of Obert Masaraure, leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, and the extrajudicial killing of CCC activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya.
According to the African human rights organizations, “the judiciary and law enforcement agencies are being weaponized to prosecute and persecute political opponents, signaling an alarming escalation of domestic repression.”
“These incidents highlight the ongoing injustices against defenseless citizens and the relentless shrinking of democratic space.”
They reminded Mnangagwa’s government of its obligations under Article 4 of the SADC Treaty which requires its member states to act in accordance with the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
“Section 44 of the Zimbabwe Constitution mandates the respect, protection, promotion and fulfulment of the rights of freedom of assembly and association as specified in Section 58.” They noted that people’s rights and freedoms are also protected under the Universal Declation of Human Rights, African Charter and other treaties and international conventions.
“Gatherrings of student unions, political parties and civil society organizations have never poised a security threat. We demand a clear and coherent explanation from the authorities for such heavy-handed actions, which only serve to heighten unnecessary security fears ahead of the SADC Summit.”
Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere and Information Secretary Nick Mangwana were unreachable for comment as they were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reports that the four arrested civic society leaders, one of them severely tortured by suspected state security agents, will remain in custody as a Harare magistrate on Thursday indicated that state prosecutors were not yet in a position to present their case in court.
In a message on X, the lawyers said, “Pro-democracy campaigners @namataik , @robohchere, @cdegwenzi remain in prison detention as their bail hearing proceedings were conducted Tuesday & rolled over to Wednesday.”
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