EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ABOUT ZPP
The organisation was founded in 2000 by church-based
and human rights organisations. The current members of
ZPP are Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ),
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Catholic
Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ),
Counselling Services Unit (CSU), Habakkuk Trust,
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Civic
Education Network Trust (CIVNET), Zimbabwe Lawyers
for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Women’s Coalition of
Zimbabwe (WCoZ).
Dominant human rights violations recorded during June
2017 revolve around preparations for the presidential youth
interface rallies, Heroes Day commemorations, the
upcoming Chiwundura by-election, continued barring of
students from attending classes, harassment of vendors and
discrimination during food aid distribution. Zimbabwe
Peace Project notes trends where some violations cut across
ZPP was established with the objective of monitoring,
documenting and building peace and promoting the
peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. The peace
project seeks to foster dialogue and political tolerance
through non-partisan peace monitoring activities, mainly
through monitors who document the violations of rights in
the provinces.
the entire nation during the course of the year while others
are sporadic and isolated.
Midlands recorded the highest number of types of human
rights violations during the month under review. A total of
eight rights (right to education, political rights, freedom of
The monitors, who at full complement stand at 420,
constitute the core pool of volunteers, supported by three
Regional Coordinators.
The Regional Coordinators
relate with the national office headed by the National
Director and programme officers in various units.
profession, the right to personal security, freedom of
expression, freedom of association, right to food and the
right to information) were breached in Midlands in the run
up to the Chiwundura by-election. Opposition party
contribute money towards the rally, shut down businesses
supporters are intimidated; some are forced to remove their
or attend the rally against their will.
party regalia while others have had their party posters
defaced. Threats to opposition party supporters are made
Rarely has ZPP recorded a violation of freedom of trade
openly and this makes it difficult for parties like National
but these seem to be appearing more often as Zanu PF
Constitutional Assembly (NCA) to hold door-to-door
prepares for its nationwide rallies. Vendors currently make
campaigns as with a case reported in Senga where 28 Zanu
bulk of the Zimbabwean population due to very high
PF youths defaced NCA campaign posters.
unemployment. Vendors are caught in between political
party big wigs that force them to close down their stalls and
A trend of increased human rights violations have been
places of trade and attend rallies. Municipal police have
noted and recorded where presidential youth interface
also wantonly raided vending bays during these times.
rallies are held. In May, although the threat level in
Mashonaland East was low, there were numerous
During the ruling party rallies Zanu PF Manicaland
violations that were propelled by preparations for the first
provincial youth leader and the party’s youth secretary are
Zanu PF youth interface rally that was held on 2 June.
on record for saying whites should leave farms so that Zanu
Seven rights were violated in Manicaland when Zanu PF
PF youths can take over. The use of hate speech at the
was readying its supporters for the second presidential
rallies has resulted in a sudden sprouting of a new wave of
youth interface that was held at Sakubva Stadium in
farm invasions, the most recent being at Lesbury Farm. 120
Mutare. Political rights, right to information, freedom of
families have been rendered homeless and properties
trade, freedom of association, property rights, right to food
destroyed in a hostile take over of the farm.
and right to education were violated across Mutare and
surrounding areas as people were being forced to either
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