A 31-page-long report, “Zimbabwe: Ongoing risks for human rights defenders in the context of political deadlock and pre-electoral period”, released here on Monday by two international human rights groups, showed continued harassment, marginalisation and victimisation of human rights defenders in the country, four years after the formation of the GNU.
Impunity and a lack of justice for past abuses remain serious concerns. The report analysed multiple forms of harassment facing human rights defenders as they tried to do their work, including police summons, disruption of assemblies and protests, police violence, propaganda and slandering, threats of organisation closure, and deterrence from participating in international and regional meetings.
“Most of these violations are instigated by the police, members of Zanu (PF), militias and traditional leaders. The Censorship Board and the Provincial Governors also take a stance against anyone deemed to run counter the interests of Zanu (PF),” reads the report, adding that more human rights defenders are expected to fall victim to a potential rise in violence and a crackdown on civil society due to the collusion between security forces and the party of President Robert Mugabe.
“Besides the need for radical change in the authorities’ methods, it is of vital importance that the reforming process be completed in conformity to international and regional human rights standards,” said Arnold Tsunga, African Regional Programme Director for the International Commission of Jurists.
Post published in: News