'SOMETHING is rotten in the state of Denmark."
This line in Hamlet by William Shakespeare perfectly encapsulates the rampant corruption and human rights abuses that have come to define Zimbabwe under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership. Zimbabwe has cemented its reputation among nations notorious for stifling civil liberties. This week, Civicus, a global research tool monitoring civic freedoms in 196 countries, raised alarm over the country's worsening human rights record.
As a result, Zimbabwe was placed in the “Repressed” category, alongside countries like Argentina, Azerbaijan, and Thailand, which are notorious for violently cracking down on civil rights.
“The relentless crackdown on civil society and opposition figures in Zimbabwe is alarming and demands urgent attention,” Civicus monitor researcher for Africa Sylvia Mbataru said. “The reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees are alarming. Zimbabwean authorities must be held accountable for these human rights violations.”
Zimbabwe's roll call of human rights transgressions continues to grow. In a document released last year, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum dedicated its report, Democracy Hijacked: Documenting Human Rights Abuses amidst an Electoral Heist, to slain civil rights activists Thulani Maseko, Tinashe Edson Chitsunge, and Bishop Tapfumaneyi Masaya.
Earlier this year, Harare was ranked among the worst performers in upholding civil liberties by the Human Freedom Index. Following the 2023 elections, Zimbabwe was red-flagged by several countries, international bodies, and continental blocs for disregarding fundamental human rights.
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During the build-up to the 44th Sadc Summit, police swooped on 78 Citizens Coalition for Change members gathered at the residence of party leader Jameson Timba to commemorate the International Day of the African Child. This heavy-handed approach attracted criticism from civic society organisations and international bodies.
The European Union condemned the harassment of human rights defenders and opposition politicians. Heal Zimbabwe Trust, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Women's Institute for Leadership Development, and Women's Academy for Leadership also criticised the actions.
Many of these civil rights transgressions, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, are at the hands of state security agents and a judiciary system perceived to be pliant.
In this issue, we report on the recently assembled Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), tasked with addressing grievances raised by the public against state security agencies. The commission chaired by Retired Justice Webster Chinamora has its work cut out. As Zimbabwe's human rights record continues to deteriorate, the ZICC faces significant challenges in promoting accountability and justice.
Only time will tell if the ZICC can effectively address these concerns and promote a more just and equitable society for all Zimbabweans.