Zimbabwe Peace Project

HUMAN RIGHTS
DEFICITS 43 YEARS
AFTER INDEPENDENCE
THE ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | APRIL 2023

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

Info
0Connections

2023_ ZPP MMR APRIL 2023 - Human Rights Deficits 43 Years After Independence

Monthly Monitoring Report

Executive Summary: The month of April is when Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980 when the Union Jack was lowered, and the Zimbabwe flag hoisted. ZPP joined the rest of the country in celebrating 43 years of independence celebrated annually on the 18th of April. This year’s theme focused on a famous phrase ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’ coined by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, translating to ‘a country is built by its own citizens’. As the c o u n t r y c o m m e m o r a t e d 4 3 y e a r s o f Independence, there is need to not only focus on building infrastructure, but also on the establishment of a culture of respect for human rights. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly has continuously been violated and undermined, with the authorities refusing to give clearance for some of the main opposition party’s rallies, arresting and convicting peaceful protesters and using unnecessary and excessive f o rce to s to p p ro te s t s . A s Z i m b a b w e approaches elections in the next few months, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly have come under increasing attack. During his Independence Day speech in Mount Darwin, President Mnangagwa warned citizens against ‘rogue’ civil society organisations that have the potential to create division and disharmony. Repressive pieces of legislation such as the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), Cyber and Data Protection Act, Private and Voluntary Organization (PVO) Amendment Bill as well the Criminal Law (Codification and R e f o r m ) A m e n d m e n t B i l l h a v e b e e n promulgated and proposed. Their collective threaten democracy, good, transparent and accountable governance and the rule of law. During the month King Mswati III of Eswatini, officially opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which ran between the 25th and 29th of April. King Mswati’s government stands accused of deploying the military to shoot at civilians, jailing hundreds, injuring thousands and killing many including the most recent victim of state sponsored terror, Human rights abuses included in this Monthly Monitoring Report (MMR) not only reveals offenders but also creates awareness among citizens on the status of social, political, economic, civic, and cultural rights. It is also an advocacy tool with different stakeholders. ZPP initiated the #RRRV2023 campaign to encourage people to Resist, Reject, and Report violence ahead of the 2023 elections. The campaign seeks to work towards creating a conducive environment that allows voters to be informed and exercise their political rights. The campaign also allows citizens to voice their concerns and report voting anomalies while also raising awareness and responsiveness levels to put pressure on duty-bearers to be accountable for their actions. It is only when such an environment exists that citizens are confident the outcome will be their will. An environment that is pregnant with intimidations, threats, harassment and violent conflict is not indicative of one that is conducive. Advocate Thulani Maseko.

Documents

ZPP MMR APRIL 2023 - Human Rights Deficits 43 Years After Independence.pdf
english
Download View