EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the month of January, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented 119 human rights
violations. The violations included threats of violence, assault, unfair distribution of aid and
instances of degrading treatment. Violations against fundamental freedoms were also
recorded, among them breaches of the rights to freedom of assembly and association, freedom
of expression and restricted access to social services. There were unjustified arrests of victims
by the police force as well as restricted access to information.
The violations affected 3161 people across the provinces, having a devastating impact on 1619
females and 1542 males, with 21 persons with disabilities also targeted. The perpetrators were
predominantly affiliated with ZANU PF, making up 46% of the total, while Zimbabwe Republic
Police members accounted for 16%. Other violators included local authorities (10.4%), CCC
members (7.6%), artisanal miners (3.6%), traditional leaders (2.8%), war veterans (2%), and
government security agents (2%). Notably, 9.6% of the perpetrators were not linked to any
specific group or organization.
In the section 10 Steps Backwards, we highlight a report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights
Association and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders that reveals how
Zimbabweans' human rights and freedoms are under severe threat due to shrinking civic space
and a clampdown on civil society organizations, which face surveillance, infiltration, and
intimidation.
ZPP is closely monitoring the implications of the 2030 agenda on the Zimbabwean human rights
situation. To this end, ZPP has started monitoring, documenting and reporting human rights
violations that are perpetrated against victims on account of their real or perceived
opposition/neutrality to the 2030 agenda. In January, ZPP recorded 8 cases of human rights
violations which were linked to the 2030 agenda. The 8 cases affected a total of 97 victims, 54
of whom were men and 53 of whom were women. The majority of these cases were recorded in
Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Cases of intra-party violence within Citizens Coalition for
Change (CCC) were also recorded in January
ZPP recommends that the government of Zimbabwe strengthens institutional frameworks that
promote and protect human rights and ensure that all citizens can enjoy their rights and
freedoms without fear of persecution or intimidation.
Contents
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Key human rights violations..........................................4
Towards Sustainable Peace in Zimbabwe ..................7
10 Steps backward..........................................................7
Provincial Outlook...........................................................8
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