MORE local and international organisations are joining in the condemnation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s crackdown on human rights and opposition activists ahead of the Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit next week.
According to the Amnesty International Zimbabwe, more than 160 people have been arrested since mid-June ahead of the upcoming summit in Harare.
The human rights organisation also called on Zimbabwean authorities to end the crackdown against opposition and civil society members.
In a statement yesterday, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said authorities should immediately and unconditionally release everyone arrested for exercising their rights.
“Authorities must also promptly and effectively investigate allegations of torture or other ill-treatment of detainees and hold suspected perpetrators accountable in fair proceedings,” the groups said.
“Further, Sadc must urgently demand an end to this assault on human rights as it prepares to hand the bloc’s leadership to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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“Since mid-June, Zimbabwean authorities have conducted a massive crackdown on dissent. More than 160 people have been arrested so far including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students and journalists,” Amnesty International deputy regional director for east and southern Africa, Khanyo Farise said.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) said the detention of Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza and Samuel Gwenzi, among other human rights activists, was arbitrary.
It also appealed to authorities to do a thorough investigation into the security agents that reportedly tortured Chere.
“The Law Society of Zimbabwe is committed to upholding the rule of law and the rights of accused persons to receive fair and humane treatment. Torture is not an acceptable method of criminal investigation,” the LSZ said.
It also called for international organisations to intervene and stop the Zimbabwean government from torturing human rights defenders.
In a pastoral letter, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference expressed concern over the arrests and torture of human rights and political activists.
“Generally, people with grievances tend to take advantage of big meetings to air their views. We have seen people positioning themselves to do this in the past and are doing so now.
“This phenomenon is not unique to Zimbabwe. Governments often struggle to deal with such realities. Some tend to be repressive, but such responses are self-defeating.
“As the Catholic Bishops, we are worried and saddened that to silence the dissenting voices and quell possible demonstrations violence, torture and abductions seem to be the only options employed. Why not try dialogue with those who feel aggrieved by the present state of our country?” the bishops said.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said the intensified crackdown on opposition party supporters, civil society organisations, general citizens and perceived dissenting voices at the instigation of the State was unacceptable.
“Sustained attacks on civil liberties through arbitrary arrests, assaults, torture and detention of citizens incomunicado have become commonplace,” the Forum said.
“Before the arrest and torture of the four, the atmosphere in Harare had been growing tense, with the heavy deployment of armed police officers at every street corner who were harassing civilians and inflicting various degrees of injury to vendors and informal traders.”
The Forum reiterated that the right to freedom of assembly, association and free speech is guaranteed in our Constitution and regional and international human rights standards to which Zimbabwe is party to.
“As such, the wilful attacks against these rights as demonstrated by government do not instil confidence and commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens. Sadly, however, the situation continues to be volatile as the summit draws closer.
“The Forum reminds government that while it is important to maintain peace and order, the Constitution provides for the freedom of association, assembly as well as freedom of speech.
“It is the right of every citizen to protest peacefully. The Constitution also provides for the right to bail, as such, government should protect and not persecute its citizens.”
The Forum also called on Sadc to promote respect for human rights by calling on Zimbabwe to end arbitrary arrest of its citizens, torture and persecution of opposition and civil society members.
“We further remind government, law enforcement agents and the Executive of the submissions made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, during his inauguration speech on August 25, 2018,” the Forum said.
International organisations also condemned the human rights abuses, pressing the government to take immediate steps to protect their rights and safety.
“We condemn without reservation the campaign of violence against trade union leaders and activists in Zimbabwe,” International Trade Union Confederation general-secretary Luc Triangle said.
He called on Sadc to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and democracy by addressing the situation in Zimbabwe.
“Anyone who values civil liberties should act now to pressure the Government of Zimbabwe to stop this repression,” Triangle said.
“This includes the Sadc ahead of its 44th Summit, where the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa will become chair.
“Sadc must act to show people in the region that it is built on a foundation of decent values and human rights.”
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders also said the arbitrary detention of Chere, Kwekweza and Gwenzi, among others, appears to be aimed at restricting their freedom of assembly and hindering their legitimate human rights activities.
“It is not the first time that Chere is facing intense repression for his peaceful human rights activism, including arbitrary arrests, abductions and judicial harassment,” it said.