OCTOBER 2022
Freedoms of Association and Movement
In October, ZPP recorded 52 cases on the violation of freedoms of
association and movement in different areas, including Nyanga North,
Chimanimani East and Chirumhanzu South.
These cases include the politicisation of agricultural seed in Nyanga North,
which only gave grain to people with the ruling Zanu PF party membership
card selling at USD$3.00. In Chimanimani East, ward 15, a state security
agent identified as Dembo intimidated a human rights defender due to his
involvement in the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) activities
and regular appearance in shirts bearing the ZESN logo. In Chirumanzu
South, ward 6, Zanu PF members identified as Jaya and Danger moved
around during the night, intimidating, assaulting and harassing CCC
supporters and other villagers ahead of the 22 October by-elections. This led
to the injury of some, and one was rushed to the hospital for medical
attention.
The Constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and association under
Section 21. Every Zimbabwean has the right to assemble freely and associate
with other persons and in particular, to form or belong to political parties or
trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests. This is
also supported by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights Articles’
10 and 11.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report
12