AMNESTY International (AI) says government has continued to silence its critics through manipulating the law to ensure it maintains its hold on power unquestioned.
Addressing journalists at a Press briefing titled Human Rights Under Attack: A Review of Zimbabwe's Human Rights Record in the Period 2018–23, AI executive director Lucia Masuka said there was a growing trend by the incumbent government to suppress human rights.
“One particular trend we have picked up is the enactment of pieces of legislation that impact the enjoyment of rights, pieces of legislation such as the Criminal Code, popularly known as the Patriot Bill in some circles, which has an impact on freedom of expression,” Masuka said.
“Our call to the government is that there is a need to repeal provisions that violate fundamental human rights as well as enact legislation that protects and promotes human rights.”
She said they had noted government’s failure to adhere to the constitutional provisions on respect for human rights.
“Our first recommendation calls on the government to adhere to the Constitution, we do have a constitution that has comprehensive provisions that are related to human rights,” Masuka said.
“We have a Constitution that enshrines principles and values that underpin the protection of human rights, but what we noted through the findings is that there hasn’t been adherence.”
During the build-up to the August 23 and 24 elections, government fast-tracked the passage of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, popularly known as the Patriot Act.
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Government critics and human rights defenders have dismissed the Patriot Act as retrogressive and illegal.
Opposition political activists, human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisation employees fear they will be victims of the Patriot Act.
