THE rapid decline in fundamental civic freedoms in Zimbabwe has resulted in the country being added to a watchlist, which includes countries such as Argentina, Azerbaijan and Thailand, amid a brutal crackdown on civil society and political opposition.
Zimbabwe was, earlier this year, ranked among the world’s worst performers in terms of human freedom, according to the Human Freedom Index.
The listing on the watchlist comes amid a crackdown on opposition members, civil society organisations and activists, with over 160 individuals arrested since June, including elected officials, union leaders, students and journalists.
According to the CIVICUS Monitor Tracking Civic Space latest results, Zimbabwe’s human rights standing is currently rated in the “Repressed” zone.
The rating is typically given to countries where civic space is heavily stifled by power holders, who impose a combination of legal and practical constraints on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights.
CIVICUS Monitor methodology rates the state of civic freedoms for all countries and with Zimbabwe currently rated REPRESSED, the country joins a total of 50 countries in the world with this rating.
The new watchlist is released to coincide with the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, where CIVICUS will present evidence and recommendations on the state of civic freedoms in Zimbabwe.
In a statement yesterday, CIVICUS noted that Zimbabwean authorities have arrested over 160 individuals, including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students and journalists, with numerous reports of torture and other ill-treatment since June this year in the build-up to the 44th Session of the Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit held in Mt Hampden.
“The relentless crackdown on civil society and opposition figures in Zimbabwe is alarming and demands urgent attention” said CIVICUS Monitor researcher for Africa, Sylvia Mbataru.
CIVICUS is a global civil society alliance which constitutes an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels and spans the spectrum of civil society.
Its watchlist draws attention to countries where there has been a rapid decline in of civic freedoms as protected by international law.
“The international community must act swiftly to defend and uphold fundamental human rights in the country before further damage is done.
“The reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees are alarming. Zimbabwean authorities must be held accountable for these human rights violations,” Mbataru said.
The crackdown began on June 16 this year, when police arrested 78 members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), including interim party leader Jameson Timba, during what party members said was a gathering to commemorate the International Day of the African Child, amid government fears of planned protests during the Sadc summit which was held last month.
The group was charged with “gathering with intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct”.
Despite the court acquitting Timba and 77 others of disorderly conduct on September 4, 2024, 65 individuals, including Timba himself, remain in detention on charges of “participating in an unlawful gathering”.
Further incidents included the arrest of 44 members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union on June 24, 2024, with reports of severe beatings.
Three days later, peaceful protesters outside the Harare Magistrate’s Court were beaten and arrested.
“Additional arrests and disruptions of civil society activities have continued, including the arrest of five members of the National Democratic Working Group on June 29, 2024 and the disruption of a memorial service on July 1, 2024,” CIVICUS communications officer Kgalalelo Gaebee said.
“In a concerning political development, the ruling party Zanu PF has called for President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa to extend his stay in office beyond 2028, despite constitutional barriers. The party is pushing for constitutional amendments to allow Mnangagwa to run for a third term.
“The CIVICUS Monitor urges the Zimbabwean government to cease its crackdown on civil society and opposition members, release all those arbitrarily detained and respect the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.”
Efforts to get a response from the government were in vain yesterday as both Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere and secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana were not answering their phones.
