AT least 1 460 people were victims of human rights violations in December, whereby 95 cases were reported while the number decreased from the 141 incidents recorded in the previous month.
In a monthly monitoring report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), the violations included unfair distribution of food aid and agricultural inputs, threats of violence, assault, restricted freedoms of assembly and association, inhuman treatment, restricted freedom of expression and unlawful eviction.
According to the report, other documented violations included looting and pillaging of public resources, restricted access to social services and unjustified arrests.
“The violations affected 1 460 victims, of which 646 were male and 814 females,” the report read.
It added that harassment and intimidation, assault and violations of the right to equality and non-discrimination were consistently among the highest reported violations throughout the year.
“Notably, torture and unlawful detention spiked in August 2024 due to government’s crackdown on human rights defenders and political activists ahead of the Southern African Development Community summit.
Keep Reading
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
- NMB workers take on employer
- Mbavara eyes to resurrect Matavire’s music legacy
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
“Seasonal trends also emerged, with violations against freedom of assembly and association, as well as freedom of expression, surging during periods of high political tension.
“The ZPP’s findings highlight the pervasive nature of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, with certain violations consistently appearing throughout the year.
“The correlation between political events and spikes in violations suggests a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and opposition.”
ZPP called on the government to strengthen institutions, promote transparency and accountability.
“To address these issues, it is essential to strengthen institutions, promote transparency and accountability and support civil society organisations and human rights activists,” the project said.
ZPP said international institutions, including regional bodies like Sadc and the African Union, should play a more active role in promoting human rights and holding perpetrators accountable.
“To mitigate the human rights violations in Zimbabwe and promote accountability, it is essential to address the root causes of these abuses, which include political intimidation, corruption and impunity,” the peace watchdog said.
It called on the Zimbabwean government to ensure all perpetrators, regardless of their political affiliation or position in society, are held accountable for their actions.
The peace watchdog said that could be achieved by strengthening institutions, such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and ensuring that they are fully accessible to Zimbabwean communities for complaints filing which enabled effective investigation and prosecution of human rights abusers.