MEMBERS of the civil society have called on the government respect its citizens after a tumultuous year which saw the arrest of hundreds of opposition activists.
In a statement during the commemorations of the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) condemned rampant human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
In a Press statement Tuesday to commemorate International Human Rights Day, CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Khumalo bemoaned human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
“As we celebrate this important global day, we bemoan the rampant human rights violations in Zimbabwe which have been characterised by a systemic attack on civil society and opposition activists,” he said.
“These abuses have largely been in the form of torture, abductions, arbitrary arrests as well as prolonged pre-trial incarcerations, among other forms.”
Khumalo criticised the ruling Zanu PF party’s attempts to entrench authoritarianism and undermine democracy.
“Party-State conflation has led to the abuse of State institutions to fuel rights violations while there is an apparent attempt to weaken institutions established under Chapter 12 of the Constitution to promote democracy in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“It is disturbing to note that Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, is keen to entrench authoritarianism and move the country towards a one-party State and this has resulted in mutilation of the Constitution and failure to observe fundamental rights enshrined in the country’s supreme document.
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“We implore the Zimbabwean government to ensure implementation, rather than mutilation of the country’s Constitution for purposes of retaining political power.”
He said it was unfortunate that Zimbabwe’s Constitution, adopted in 2013 and lauded as one of the most progressive under the Declaration of Rights, was under threat from Zanu PF, which is seeking to retain power at all costs.
“The Coalition calls upon President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his capacity as the chairperson of Sadc to lead by example in terms of respect for fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
Khumalo said it was disheartening that Zimbabwe continues to set a bad precedent in the Sadc region through persecution of dissenting voices in direct violation of the dictates of democracy.
“The continued shrinking of the democratic and civic space in Zimbabwe through persecution of activists as well as introduction of draconian legislation is testament to the failure by the government of Zimbabwe to respect citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms,” he said.
Khumalo said regional hotspots such as Mozambique, Eswatini and the Democratic Republic of Congo deserve urgent attention to ensure peace that will ultimately lead to the observance of citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
“The coalition implores the government to ensure the independence of institutions established to protect democracy and honour its local, regional and international obligations in terms of human rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, Veritas Zimbabwe also echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern surrounding human rights violations.
“Climate-induced stress has led to a significant increase in gender-based violence, with approximately 39,4% of women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence in the past year,” the legal think-tank said.
“Economic hardship, worsened by climate change, forces many families to resort to early marriage, depriving girls of education and opportunities.”
This year International Human Rights Day ran under the theme Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now, emphasising the importance of respecting human rights for a prosperous future.
