ZIMBABWE has regressed in democracy amid a rise in human rights abuses, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has said.
In a statement to mark the International Day of Democracy yesterday, the ZLHR said State and non-State actors had outwitted each other in undermining democracy and this was glaringly manifest in the erosion of people’s rights and freedoms characterised by the frightening and pervasive practice of abduction and torture of people.
“ZLHR is alarmed at the increasing pattern of human rights abuses, which continue to be perpetrated on people with unbridled impunity. So terrifying to ZLHR is the atmosphere of fear, which is being instilled among people, particularly those perceived to be anti-government and the eve of the hosting of the Sadc summit in Harare saw at least 180 human rights defenders, opposition political party leaders, legislators and ordinary citizens being arrested and subjected to pre-trial detention,” it said.
“Equally disconcerting is the government’s obstinacy in pressing ahead with the enactment of repressive legislation such as the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill. This obnoxious Bill has the net effect of severely restricting civic space and the right to freedom of association in Zimbabwe.
It said the wanton violation of human rights and unadorned undermining of democracy and good governance were incompatible with the freedoms and rights guaranteed in the Constitution and the government’s obligations under “regional and international human rights norms and standards enshrining the prohibition of these heinous crimes”.
The commemorations come at a time when Zimbabwe has been on the local and international spotlight regarding the alleged violation of democratic tenets.
“Linked to the rule of law and respect for human rights, democracy is considered the bedrock of resilient, inclusive and peaceful societies. It underwrites good governance, freedom, dignity, development, peace and equality,” ZLHR said.
“When democracy, a fundamental element for a safe and peaceful society, is absent, there are unimaginable and incomprehensible challenges.”
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ZLHR said as the world commemorated the International Day of Democracy, it was cognisant of the myriad threats that democracy faces worldwide.
“In 2024, the theme for the International Day of Democracy is Ensuring effective governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at all levels,’ which focuses on AI's essential role as a tool for good governance.
“This quest for a digitised and connected society presents opportunities and risks for governance systems; hence, society needs to harness the power of AI to strengthen good governance and democracy.
“While progressive democracies are exploring ways of harnessing the power of AI to strengthen good governance and democracy, in Zimbabwe, there is an explosion of disinformation and misinformation, deliberately aimed at disrupting democratic processes in the country.”
ZLHR also raised concern that there has been general regression in democracy and political governance, although the government of Zimbabwe joined the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2020.
“This mechanism enables AU members to assess and review their governance at the head-of-State peer level to promote political stability, accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration, economic growth and sustainable development.
“By joining the APRM, States commit to independently reviewing their compliance with various governance commitments. One of the four thematic areas to measure progress is democracy and political governance,” ZLHR said.
