THE Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has condemned government’s crackdown on dissent and its failure to address the country’s socio-economic challenges.
In a statement presented during commemorations of the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights on Monday this week, the rights body described the human rights situation in Zimbabwe as deplorable.
It also expressed concern over the government's use of lawfare, violence and intimidation to silence critics.
The human rights defenders highlighted the case of opposition leader Job Sikhala, who has been denied bail a record 15 times, as an example of the government's use of the law to suppress dissent.
“The government's use of lawfare to suppress dissent is a grave travesty of justice,” the forum said.
“The recent wave of post-election violence and intimidation against opposition supporters is unprecedented and unacceptable.”
In addition to the crackdown on dissent, the forum also expressed concern over government's failure to address the country's socio-economic challenges.
The forum called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to exert pressure on the Zimbabwean government to take immediate action to address the concerns.
- Govt crackdown on dissent condemned
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“The African Commission has a responsibility to hold the Zimbabwean government accountable for its human rights record and to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe are able to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms,” the forum added.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyanmbi was not reachable for comment.
