Press Statement on the 2025 Human Rights Day
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
10 December 2025
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) stands in solidarity with
the global human rights
community in commemorating the 2025 Human Rights Day under the theme “Human Rights:
Our Everyday Essentials.” This theme is a powerful reminder that human rights are not
abstract ideals, but practical, daily guarantees that uphold human dignity, equality, and freedom.
They are the foundation upon which just, peaceful, and democratic societies are built.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is unequivocal in its commitment to these values. The
Declaration of Rights (Chapter 4) affirms that every person is entitled to inherent dignity
(Section 51), the right to life (Section 48), equality and non-discrimination (Section 56), personal
liberty (Section 49), freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (Section
53), freedom of expression (Section 61), freedom of assembly (Section 58), and the right to a
clean, safe and healthy environment (Section 73), among others.
Importantly, Section 44 imposes a clear duty on the State and every person, including juristic
persons and private actors, to respect, protect, promote and fulfil these rights.
Guided by these constitutional principles and aligned with regional and international human
rights norms, the Zimbabwe Peace Project reiterates its commitment to the protection of human
dignity and the promotion of peace, accountability, and justice.
Grave human rights violation
In 2025 alone, ZPP has documented 1235 human rights violations affecting 44,853 people
(24,476 women, 20,377 men including 659 PWDs) across the country. While these numbers
provide only a partial picture, they reveal worrying trends of persecution and intimidation
targeting ordinary citizens. Reports of abductions, torture, enforced disappearances, and inhuman
or degrading treatment, whether in communities or places of detention, remain deeply
concerning and constitute direct violations of Sections 51, 52, 53, and 49 of the Constitution.
Although the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has made commendable progress
in investigating prison conditions, particularly issues of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and
inadequate healthcare, much more remains to be done to bring the conditions of detention into
alignment with constitutional and international standards, including Sections 51 (dignity), 76
(healthcare), and 50 (rights of arrested and detained persons).
Independent Commissions